Systems and methods for wireless power system with improved performance and/or ease of use

ABSTRACT

A wireless power network including multiple electromagnetic resonators each capable of storing electromagnetic energy at a resonant frequency is disclosed. The multiple resonators include: a first resonator configured to be coupled to a power source to receive power from the power source; a second resonator configured to be coupled to a load to provide power to the load, and one or more intermediate resonators. The first resonator is configured to provide power from the power source to the second resonator through the one or more intermediate resonators. At least a first pair of resonators among the multiple resonators is configured to exchange power wirelessly, and at least a second pair of the resonators among the multiple resonators is configured to exchange power through a wired electrically conductive connection.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/727,260 filed Nov. 16, 2012 and entitled“Systems and Methods for Wireless Power System with ImprovedEfficiency”.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure relates to wireless energy transfer to power devices,also referred to as wireless power transmission.

2. Description of the Related Art

Energy or power may be transferred wirelessly using a variety of knownradiative, or far-field, and non-radiative, or near-field, techniques asdetailed, for example, in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/613,686 published on May 6, 2010 as US 2010/010909445 andentitled “Wireless Energy Transfer Systems,” U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/860,375 published on Dec. 9, 2010 as 2010/0308939 andentitled “Integrated Resonator-Shield Structures,” U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/222,915 published on Mar. 15, 2012 as2012/0062345 and entitled “Low Resistance Electrical Conductor,” U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/283,811 published on Oct. 4, 2012 as2012/0248981 and entitled “Multi-Resonator Wireless Energy Transfer forLighting,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

Inefficient power transfer may be acceptable for data transmission butis not practical for transferring electrical energy for the purpose ofdoing work, such as for powering or charging electrical devices.Inefficient power transfer may not be preferred either becauseinsufficient power may be transferred in order for a device to operatecorrectly, or because it will waste energy which is lost duringtransmission/reception.

There are various manners of improving the transfer/reception efficiencyof some wireless energy transfer schemes. One method is to usedirectional antennas to confine and preferentially direct the radiatedenergy towards a receiver. However, these directed radiation schemes mayrequire an uninterruptible line-of-sight and potentially complicatedtracking and steering mechanisms in the case of mobile transmittersand/or receivers. A known non-radiative, or near-field, wireless energytransfer scheme, often referred to as either induction or traditionalinduction, does not (intentionally) radiate power, but uses anoscillating current passing through a primary coil, to generate anoscillating magnetic near-field that induces currents in a near-byreceiving or secondary coil. Traditional induction schemes havedemonstrated the transmission of modest to large amounts of power,however only over very short distances and with very small offsettolerances between the primary power supply unit and the secondaryreceiver unit. Electric transformers and proximity chargers are examplesof devices that utilize this known short range, near-field energytransfer scheme.

Therefore, a need exists for a wireless power transfer scheme that iscapable of transferring useful amounts of electrical power overmid-range distances or alignment offsets. Such a wireless power transferscheme should enable useful energy transfer over greater distances andalignment offsets than those realized with traditional inductionschemes, but without the limitations and risks inherent in radiativetransmission schemes.

A non-radiative or near-field wireless energy transfer scheme that iscapable of transmitting useful amounts of power over mid-range distancesand alignment offsets uses coupled electromagnetic resonators withlong-lived oscillatory resonant modes to transfer power from a powersupply to a power drain. The technique is general and may be applied toa wide range of resonators. If the resonators are designed such that theenergy stored by the electric field is primarily confined within thestructure and the energy stored by the magnetic field is primarily inthe region surrounding the resonator, the energy exchange may bemediated primarily by the resonant magnetic near-field and theresonators may be referred to as magnetic resonators.

SUMMARY

Resonators and resonator assemblies may be positioned to distributewireless energy over an area. The wireless energy transfer resonatorsand components, including repeaters, that may be used have beendescribed in, for example, in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,461,719issued Jun. 11, 2013 and entitled “Wireless energy transfer systems,”U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/720,866 published on Oct. 14, 2010as U.S. publication 2010/0259108 A1 and entitled “Wireless energytransfer using repeater resonators”. The modeling and simulation ofwireless energy transfer systems that may be used have been describedin, for example, in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/668,756 published on Jun. 20, 2012 as U.S. publication 2012/0159956A1 and entitled “Wireless energy transfer modeling tool,” the contentsof which are incorporated by reference.

There is a need for technologies, devices, methods, apparati and thelike, for installing, controlling, diagnosing, initiating, monitoring,adjusting, and the like, multi-resonator wireless energy systems. Forexample, a multi-resonator wireless power transfer system in a home mayhave one or more wireless power transmitters or sources, one or morewireless power receivers or devices, one or more wireless powerrepeaters, one or more resonators whose function may change or maysimultaneously be that of a source, a device, and/or a repeater. Such asystem may comprise a wireless power system manager. Further, such asystem may need to account for objects which may interfere with theelectromagnetic fields, for changes in electrical characteristicsassociated with temperature and/or other environmental factors and otherfactors which may need to be addressed and adjusted for in order to makewireless power transmission operate effectively and efficiently.

Therefore a need exists for simulating, configuring, calibrating,adjusting, and the like, the components of wireless power transmissionsystems, so that deployed components and systems are capable oftransferring useful amounts of electrical power over mid-rangedistances. The solutions disclosed herein may allow wireless powertransfer to occur more efficiently and effectively by assisting users toovercome potential wireless power system hurdles such as perturbingobjects, shadowing, temperature fluctuations, broken or detuned systemcomponents, varying demands by devices powered by the system, andalignment offsets. Such wireless power transfer set-up and maintenanceschemes (including related processes and protocols) should enable usefulenergy transfer over greater distances and with improved efficiency andreliability, than that which would be realized in the absence of theseprovisions.

There are disclosed herein wireless energy transfer schemes that arecapable of transmitting useful amounts of power over mid-range distancesand alignment offsets. In one embodiment, these inventive techniques canuse coupled electromagnetic resonators with long-lived oscillatoryresonant modes to transfer power from a power supply to a power drain,and possibly along repeater resonators that allow energy to “hop”(provide efficient wireless energy transfer) from one resonator toanother. The resonant techniques described herein are general and may beapplied to a wide range of resonators, even where the specific examplesdisclosed herein relate to electromagnetic resonators.

Note that the set-up, calibration, adjustment, and maintenanceprocesses, protocols, and parameters disclosed herein may be applied toboth electric and magnetic resonators, as well as other types ofwireless energy systems such as directional, RF, radiative, traditionalinductive, and other types of near, medium, and far-field wireless powersystems and methods.

The omni-directional but stationary (non-lossy) nature of thenear-fields of some resonators we will disclose enables efficientwireless energy transfer over mid-range distances, over a wide range ofdirections and resonator orientations, suitable for charging, powering,or simultaneously powering and charging a variety of electronic devices.As a result, a system may have a wide variety of possible applicationswhere a first resonator, connected to a power source, is in onelocation, and a second resonator, potentially connected toelectrical/electronic devices, batteries, powering or charging circuits,and the like, is at a second location, and where the distance from thefirst resonator to the second resonator is on the order of centimetersto meters.

For example, a first resonator connected to the wired electricity gridcould be placed on the ceiling of a room, while other resonatorsconnected to devices, such as robots, vehicles, computers, communicationdevices, medical devices, and the like, move about within the room.These devices can constantly, intermittently, or by request receivepower wirelessly from the source resonator, which here may be configuredas a wireless energy transmitter. From this one example, it is obviousthat there are many applications where the systems and methods disclosedherein could provide wireless power.

Energy exchange between two electromagnetic resonators can be improvedwhen the resonators are tuned to substantially the same frequency andwhen the losses in the system are minimal Wireless energy transfersystems may be designed so that the “coupling time” between resonatorsis much shorter than the resonators' “loss-times”. In embodiments,wireless power transfer systems may be periodically, programmably,dynamically, or otherwise adjusted to maintain operating parameters andconditions that are conducive to efficient and effective power transfer.Effects due to temperature variations, variation in component integrityand efficiency and other potential obstacles such as shadowing orQ-perturbing objects may be addressed and compensated for in order tomaintain a preferred level of system performance and avoid unwanted andunexpected deviations of wireless power stability and efficiency.

The systems and methods described herein may, in some examples, utilizehigh quality factor (high-Q) resonators with low intrinsic-loss rates.In addition, the systems and methods described herein may usesub-wavelength resonators with near-fields that extend significantlybeyond the characteristic sizes of the resonators, so that thenear-fields of the resonators that exchange energy overlap at mid-rangedistances. This is a regime of operation that differs significantly fromtraditional induction designs.

In the power transmission schemes disclosed herein, multiple devices maybe charged or powered simultaneously in parallel or power delivery tomultiple devices may be serialized such that one or more devices receivepower for a period of time after which power delivery may be switched toother devices, and this switching may further include switching alongdifferent transmission pathways. Multiple devices may share power fromone or more sources with one or more other devices eithersimultaneously, or in a time multiplexed manner, or in a frequencymultiplexed manner, or in a spatially multiplexed manner (e.g. alongdifferent pathways). Further power may be transmitted/used in anorientation multiplexed manner, or in any combination of time andfrequency and spatial and orientation multiplexing. Multiple resonatordevices may share power with each other, with at least one device beingreconfigured continuously, intermittently, periodically, occasionally,or temporarily, to operate as at least one of a wireless power source,transmitter, system manager, or repeater. It would be understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art that there are a variety of ways to powerand/or charge devices, and the variety of ways could be applied to thetechnologies and applications described herein.

Throughout this disclosure we may refer to certain circuit componentssuch as capacitors, inductors, resistors, CPUs, memory, power supplies,diodes, switches and the like as circuitry or circuit elements. We mayalso refer to series and parallel combinations of these components aselements, networks, topologies, circuits, and the like. We may describecombinations of capacitors, resistors, diodes, transistors, and/orswitches as adjustable impedance networks, tuning networks, adjustors,matching networks, adjusting elements, and the like. We may also referto “self-resonant” objects that have both capacitance, and inductancedistributed (or partially distributed, as opposed to solely lumped)throughout the entire object. It would be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that adjusting and controlling variable componentswithin a circuit or network may adjust the performance of that circuitor network and that those adjustments may be described generally astuning, adjusting, matching, correcting, and the like. Other methods totune or adjust the operation of the wireless power transfer system maybe used alone, or in addition to adjusting tunable components such asinductors, capacitors, resonators, repeaters, or electrical and physicalproperties of resonator coils, antennas, rectennas, or banks ofinductors and capacitors.

In one aspect, disclosed herein is a wireless power network having atleast a first pair of resonators capable of wirelessly exchanging powerwith one or more other resonators and having a wired connection betweenthe resonators in the first pair. The wired pair of resonators can bedescribed as a “hybrid component” because they exchange power throughboth wireless and wired interactions. Wired power transfer betweenindependently configured resonators is accomplished using various meansincluding one embodiment in which electrically conductive connectionsare set, or adjusted, as a function of the connection (e.g., capacitanceis set according to connector length) to allow power to efficientlytransfer between resonators. In one embodiment modular elements, such ascapacitive elements, may be adjustably implemented with the conductiveconnections. Using wired power transfer allows for daisy chaining ofnetwork components and associated advantages such as reduced system costand improved system operation for certain system configurations and innear “lossy” obstacles.

Accordingly, in general with regard to this first aspect, disclosedherein is a wireless power network including multiple electromagneticresonators each capable of storing electromagnetic energy at a resonantfrequency. The multiple resonators include: a first resonator configuredto be coupled to a power source to receive power from the power source(also sometimes referred to herein as a “source resonator” or“transmitter”); a second resonator configured to be coupled to a load toprovide power to the load (also sometimes referred to herein as a“device resonator” or “receiver”), and one or more intermediateresonators (also sometimes referred to herein as a “repeater resonator”or “repeater”). The first resonator is configured to provide power fromthe power source to the second resonator through the one or moreintermediate resonators. At least a first pair of resonators among themultiple resonators is configured to exchange power wirelessly, and atleast a second pair of the resonators among the multiple resonators isconfigured to exchange power through a wired electrically conductiveconnection. For example, the second pair of resonators can be atransmitter and a repeater. In another example, the second pair ofresonators can be a first repeater and a second repeater.

Certain embodiments of this wireless power network include one or moreof the following features.

Multiple pairs among the multiple resonators are configured to exchangepower wirelessly. Multiple pairs among the multiple resonators areconfigured to exchange power through a wired electrical connection. Themultiple resonators include a third resonator configured to be coupledto another load to provide power to this other load, and wherein thethird resonator receives power from the power source through one or moreother resonators among the multiple resonators.

In certain embodiments, the wireless power network is deployed in a hometo wirelessly power multiple household devices across a range oflocations.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, each resonator in the second pairincludes a housing containing at least one inductor and at least onecapacitor to define the resonant frequency for the resonator, andwherein the wired electrical connection connects to an electrical portconnection in each of the housings of the resonators in the second pair.

For example, in certain embodiments, the wired electrical connectionincludes a length of capacitively loaded and/or inductively loadedconducting material. The loading of the conductive material can beconfigured to substantially maintain the resonant frequencies of theresonators in the second pair of resonators when the resonators in thesecond pair exchange energy through the wired electrical connection. Forexample, in certain embodiments, the loading of the conductive materialis a capacitive loading configured to maintain the resonant frequenciesof the resonators in the second pair of resonators when the second pairof resonators exchange energy through the wired connection to within 5%of the resonant frequencies of the resonators in the second pair,respectively, when the resonators in the second pair are isolated fromall other resonators. In general, where capacitive loading is used, thecapacitive loading scales with the length of the conductive material.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, each housing includes a receptaclefor removably engaging the length of capacitively loaded conductingmaterial to establish the wired electrical connection. For example, thewired electrical connection may include a length of a pair ofcapacitively loaded stranded wires, or coaxial cable. The wiredelectrical connection may include shielding.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the length of capacitively loadedconducting material includes modular capacitive elements to adjustablyload the conducting material according to the length of the wiredelectrical connection. This can enable a user to more easily deploy thewired pair of resonators to a desired arrangement and separation.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the wired electrical connectionfacilitates communication with circuitry within at least one of theresonators in the second pair in order to cause the circuitry toactivate, deactivate, or adjust a property of at least one of theresonators in the second pair. Furthermore, for example, the wirelesspower network can include a controller configured to adjustably open orclose the wired electrical connection between at least the resonators inthe second pair. This controller can be implemented as a physical switchon the hybrid pair of resonators or through network electronics.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the resonators in the second paireach include at least one loop of conductive material substantiallyaligned in respective planes, and wherein the respective planesintersect at an angle approaching a 90-degree angle, for example,between 45 to 135 degrees, or even between 60 to 120 degrees, or evenbetween 75 to 105 degrees. In such embodiments, the wired connection canfacilitate a more efficient power transfer than that for a wirelessconnection because of poor magnetic coupling between the substantially90-degree loops.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the resonators in the second pairare separated by a lossy barrier that substantially reduces wirelesspower transfer between the resonators in the second pair but does notsubstantially reduce the wired power transfer between the resonators inthe second pair. This is yet another advantage of the wired connection.For example, the barrier can include a mass of conductive materialhaving a size that is at least comparable to the resonators in thesecond pair.

In another aspect, disclosed herein is a wireless power network systemtesting and assessment system that is designed to obtain measurements ofa wireless power network either by direct measurement or bycommunication with the network. The system may obtain information,through communication with the network or by user input or otherwise,about network components including geometric configuration of thecomponents and measurements related to performance of the components.The system may adjust the operation of the network in order to assess orimprove network performance, and may assess network performance byoperating upon real world data and modeled data, such operatingincluding, for example, comparison operations.

Accordingly, in general regard to this second aspect, disclosed hereinis a device for testing a wireless power network, the network includingat least one power source, at least one load, and multiple resonatorsconfigured to couple wireless power from the at least one power sourceto the at least one load. The device includes:

-   -   a. a user interface for receiving input from a user and        providing information to the user;    -   b. a measurement module for measuring, whether directly or        indirectly, at least one operational characteristic of the        wireless power network and information about the geometric        arrangement of the multiple resonators in the wireless power        network;    -   c. a memory for storing design specifications about the wireless        power network; and    -   d. an electronic processor configured to calculate information        about a performance of the wireless power network based on the        measured operational characteristic, the information about the        geometric arrangement of the multiple resonators, and the stored        design specifications, and further configured to provide the        performance information to the user through the user interface.

Certain embodiments of this device for testing a wireless power networkinclude one or more of the following features.

For example, in certain embodiments, the measurement component includeshardware internal to the device for directly measuring at least some ofthe information about the geometric arrangement of the multipleresonators in the wireless power network. For example, the measuringcomponent hardware can include a camera. For example, the internalhardware can further include a processor and software for creating atwo-dimensional or three-dimensional model of the wireless power networkusing images taken by the camera.

Also, for example, the measurement component can include a measurementcoil configured to directly measure one or more properties ofelectromagnetic fields generated by the resonators to determining the atleast one operational characteristic. Alternatively, for example, theoperational characteristic can be measured within the wireless powernetwork, and the measurement component in the device comprises acommunication module for communicating with the wireless power networkto access the measured operational characteristic and thereby measureindirectly the operational characteristic. In this case, for example,the communication module can be configured to communicate wirelesslywith the wireless power network. Alternatively, or in addition, forexample, the device can include a mechanical interface for creating apluggable wired electrical connection with a resonator in the wirelesspower network, and wherein the communication module is configured tocommunicate with the wireless power network through pluggable wiredconnection.

In certain embodiments, the device is a portable handheld device.

In certain embodiments, the performance information includes informationabout adjusting the wireless power network to improve the performance ofthe wireless power network. For example, the information about adjustingthe wireless power network to improve the performance of the wirelesspower network can include information about re-arranging the geometricarrangement of the multiple resonators.

In certain embodiments, at least one of the components in the wirelesspower network is adjustable, and wherein the device further includes acommunication module configured to communicate with the wireless powernetwork to adjust the adjustable component based on the performanceinformation calculated by the electronic processor. For example, theadjustable component in the wireless power network can be a tunable oradjustable capacitor (e.g., a capacitor bank).

In certain embodiments, the performance information includes one or moreof any of the following: an assessment of the measured operationalcharacteristic in relation to a modeled operational characteristiccomputed by a modeling module; assessment of the power usage of thenetwork for a specified amount of time; an assessment of the cost tooperate the network for a specified amount of time; and an assessment ofthe cost to operate the network in standby mode for a specified amountof time based upon a calculated rate of power drain for the standbymode.

In certain embodiments, the performance information is derived using acalibration routine designed to adjust an operational parameter of anetwork component and to record a measurement corresponding to thisadjustment.

In certain embodiments, the performance information is derived using acalibration routine designed to communicate with the network in order tocause an adjustment of an operational parameter of a network componentand to record a measurement corresponding to this adjustment.

In a third aspect, disclosed herein is a wireless power networkaccessory for use with network components (such as network resonators)having a measurement and control interface. Wireless power networksystem components, and especially the resonators therein, may requiremeasurement and adjustment to ensure proper functioning over time andwithin changing environments. Providing for modular design and forinterfacing with an external accessory permits advantages includinggreater simplicity of manufacturing, increased functionality, greatercompatibility over time, and reduced cost. Networks which include atleast one interface in the housing of individual network components(such as individual resonators) allow for control and monitoring of thecomponent to occur via a network accessory having an interface that maybe temporarily, or permanently, connected to the component interfaceprovides calibration, monitoring, and control of components.

Accordingly, in general regard to this third aspect, disclosed herein isa system for use in a wireless power network, the wireless power networkincluding at least one power source, at least one load, and multiplenetwork components including resonators configured to couple wirelesspower from the at least one power source to the at least one load. Thesystem includes:

-   -   a. a resonator configured to exchange power wirelessly with one        or more other resonators in the wireless power network, the        resonator having a housing with an interface; and    -   b. a modular accessory configured to removably engage the        housing interface, wherein the modular accessory comprises a        measurement component configured to measure an operational        property of the resonator when the modular accessory engages the        housing interface.

For example, the measured operational property may relate to anefficiency of wireless power transfer between at least two of theresonators.

In certain embodiments, this system includes one or more of thefollowing features.

For example, in certain embodiments, the interface includes a plug(e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug) on one of the housing and themodular accessory and a receptacle on the other of the housing and themodular accessory.

Furthermore, for example, the modular accessory to the housing interfaceof the resonator can establish a wired electrical connection between themodular accessory and the resonator.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the modular accessory furthercomprises a digital display for displaying information of the measuredoperational property and/or information related to a network component.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the modular accessory furthercomprises a processor for calculating information based on the measuredoperational characteristic and stored specification information aboutthe resonator.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the resonator comprises anadjustable component (such as a tunable capacitor or adjustablecapacitor bank) and wherein the modular accessory is operable to adjustthe adjustable component when the modular accessory engages the housinginterface.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the modular accessory includes atimer that is configured to control the resonator according to at leastone of: clock time; elapsed time; and a specified time interval.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the modular accessory includes acommunication module for communicating with another network component.Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the modular accessory includes acontrol module for providing control of circuitry of a networkcomponent.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the resonator contains circuitryallowing for the modular accessory to monitor the network component.Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the resonator further containscircuitry allowing for the modular accessory to control the networkcomponent. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the resonator furthercontains communication circuitry configured for allowing for the modularaccessory to communicate with the network component.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the resonator containscommunication circuitry configured for allowing for the resonator toidentify itself to the modular accessory relative to other resonators inthe wireless power network.

In a related aspect, also disclosed is a modular accessory for use in awireless power network, the wireless power network including at leastone power source, at least one load, and multiple resonators configuredto couple wireless power from the at least one power source to the atleast one load. This modular accessory includes:

-   -   a. an electrical connector configured to removably engage an        interface on a housing of one of the resonators in the wireless        power network to establish a wired electrical connection with        the resonator; and    -   b. a measurement component configured to measure an operational        property of the resonator when the modular accessory engages the        housing interface.

For example, the interface on the housing couples to electricalcircuitry of the resonator inside the housing. In certain embodiments,additional features of the modular accessory may include any of thosedescribed above with respect to this third aspect.

In a fourth aspect, disclosed herein is a wireless power networkmanagement system. The wireless power network system can be managed torealize advantages such as event-based, condition-based, or time-basedactivation of network zones, and power conduction pathways within aparticular zone which exist between at least one source and at least onedevice resonator. Management may be required to circumvent or otherwiserespond to a network fault, such as component malfunction, or networkoverload, in the case where the power needs exceed the power supplycapacity. Management may also be used in order to respond to varioustriggers including those related to time, temperature, environmentalfactors, user based factors, location based factors, and power needs ofat least one device.

Accordingly, in general regard to this fourth aspect, disclosed hereinis a controller for use in a wireless power network, the networkincluding at least one power source, at least one load, and multipleresonators configured to couple wireless power from the at least onepower source to the at least one load. The controller includes: acontrol module configured to selectively activate, deactivate, and/oradjust operation of at least some of the multiple resonators; and anelectronic processor configured to cause the control module toselectively activate a first subset of the multiple resonators towirelessly couple power from a first source to a first load in responseto a first trigger, wherein the first subset defines a first pathwayamong the multiple resonators for providing power to one of the loads.

Certain embodiments of the controller include one or more of thefollowing features.

For example, the electronic processor can be further configured to causethe control module to operate a communication module to selectivelyactivate a second subset of the multiple resonators, different from thefirst subset, to wirelessly couple power from the first source to thefirst load in response to a second trigger, wherein the second subsetdefines a second pathway among the multiple resonators for providingpower to one of the loads.

In another example, the electronic processor can be further configuredto cause the communication module to selectively activate a secondsubset of the multiple resonators, different from the first subset, towirelessly couple power to from the first source to a second load,different from the first load, in response to a second trigger, whereinthe second subset defines a second pathway among the multiple resonatorsfor providing power to one of the loads.

In another example, the electronic processor can be further configuredto cause the communication module to selectively activate a secondsubset of the multiple resonators, different from the first subset, towirelessly couple power from a second source, different from the firstsource, to the first load in response to a second trigger, wherein thesecond subset defines a second pathway among the multiple resonators forproviding power to one of the loads.

In certain embodiments, for example, the first trigger is caused by auser input.

In certain embodiments, for example, the controller further includes aclock and wherein the first trigger is caused by programmed timeschedule.

In certain embodiments, for example, the controller further includes atemperatures sensor, and wherein the first trigger corresponds tocertain temperature measurement by the temperature sensor.

In certain embodiments, the wireless power network is deployed in a hometo wirelessly power multiple household devices across a range oflocations. For example, the controller can include at least onewall-mounted manual device to enable a user to select at least a firstpathway from a set of one or more defined pathways.

In certain embodiments, the first trigger can be caused by one or moreof any of the following: the network receiving information indicatingthat one or more loads is receiving insufficient power; a source-to-loadefficiency failing to exceed a minimum threshold; the wireless powernetwork operating according to violating at least one condition definedin a user-defined network rule.

In certain embodiments, the controller further includes a processor andmemory for storing reports including a log of the pathways used by thewireless power network.

In certain embodiments, the controller further includes a user interfacefor providing the reports to the user.

In certain embodiments, the controller includes a motion sensor, andwherein the first trigger corresponds to certain motion measurement bythe motion sensor.

In certain embodiments, the controller further includes a network faultdetector, and wherein the first trigger corresponds to the detectorsensing a network fault.

In certain embodiments, the controller further includes a network faultdetector, and wherein the first trigger corresponds the detectorobtaining a communication signal from a network component correspondingto a network fault

In another aspect related to this fourth aspect, disclosed is a wirelesspower network including at least one power source, at least one load,and multiple resonators configured to couple wireless power from the atleast one power source to the at least one load, The wireless powernetwork further includes the controller described above for this fourthaspect.

In general, in yet another aspect, disclosed herein is a repeaterresonator for use with a wireless power network, the network includingat least one power source, at least one load, and multiple resonators,including the repeater resonator, configured to couple wireless powerfrom the at least one power source to the at least one load. Therepeater resonator includes: a first loop of conductive materialsubstantially aligned in a first plane; a second loop of conductivematerial substantially in a second plane, different from the firstplane, and wherein the first loop and second loop are conductivelyconnected to one another; and a capacitive element coupled to theconductive loops to define a resonant frequency for the repeaterresonator. The relative physical orientation of the first and secondloops is adjustable.

For example, this repeater resonator can further include a rotatablemember to adjust the relative physical orientation of the first andsecond loops, such as a rotatable hinge or ball joint.

In general, in yet another aspect, disclosed herein is a multi-loopresonator for use with a wireless power network, the network includingat least one power source, at least one load, and multiple resonators,including the multi-loop resonator, configured to couple wireless powerfrom the at least one power source to the at least one load. Thismulti-loop resonator includes: a first loop of conductive materialsubstantially aligned in a first plane; a second loop of conductivematerial substantially in a second plane different from the first plane;a capacitive element; and a controller to selectively couple thecapacitive element to the first loop or the second loop, but not both.

For example, this multi-loop resonator can further include a powersource coupled to the multi-loop resonator to provide power to themulti-loop resonator through a wired connection.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this disclosure belongs. In case of conflict withpublications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned or incorporated herein by reference, the presentspecification, including definitions, will control. As used herein, afirst resonator configured to be coupled to a power source to receivepower from the power source is sometimes referred to as a “sourceresonator” or “transmitter”. Similarly, as used herein, a secondresonator configured to be coupled to a load to provide power to theload is sometimes referred to as a “device resonator” or “receiver” or“harvester”. Furthermore, as used herein, an intermediate resonator toexchange power from a first resonator to a second resonator through theintermediate resonator is sometimes referred to as a “repeaterresonator” or “repeater”. Moreover, each of these resonators, whetherimplemented as source resonator, device resonator, repeater resonator,or some combination thereof, is sometimes described herein as an exampleof a “network component” for a wireless power network.

Any of the features described may be used, alone or in combination,without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Other features,objects, and advantages of the systems and methods disclosed herein, orreasonably analogous alternative embodiments, will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description and figures. Although wireless powersystem components (or “modules”) may be shown as distinct, allcomponents illustrated for one system component, such as a transmitter,may be implemented in other components such as the receiver.Additionally, modules of each component may be realized discretely ormay be distributed across other modules, and all modules may communicateelectrically or wirelessly with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b) depict exemplary wireless power systemscontaining a source resonator 1 and device resonator 2 separated by adistance D.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary resonator labeled according to the labelingconvention described in this disclosure. Note that there are noextraneous objects or additional resonators shown in the vicinity ofresonator 1.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary resonator in the presence of a “loading”object, labeled according to the labeling convention described in thisdisclosure.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary resonator in the presence of a “perturbing”object, labeled according to the labeling convention described in thisdisclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a plot of efficiency, η, vs. strong coupling factor,U=κ/√{square root over (Γ_(s)Γ_(d))}=k√{square root over (Q_(s)Q_(d))}.

FIG. 6(a) shows a circuit diagram of one example of a resonator, FIG.6(b) shows a diagram of one example of a capacitively-loaded inductorloop magnetic resonator, FIG. 6(c) shows a drawing of a self-resonantcoil with distributed capacitance and inductance, FIG. 6(d) shows asimplified drawing of the electric and magnetic field lines associatedwith an exemplary magnetic resonator of the current disclosure, and FIG.6(e) shows a diagram of one example of an electric resonator.

FIG. 7 shows a plot of the “quality factor”, Q (solid line), as afunction of frequency, of an exemplary resonator that may be used forwireless power transmission at MHz frequencies. The absorptive Q (dashedline) increases with frequency, while the radiative Q (dotted line)decreases with frequency, thus leading the overall Q to peak at aparticular frequency.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary wireless power system containing systemcomponents including a source resonator and device resonator separatedby a set of repeater resonators separated from adjacent systemcomponents by distances Dn, where n equals 1 through 5.

FIG. 9 depicts an alternative view of an exemplary wireless power systemwhich includes multiple sources, devices, repeaters and a wireless powersystem manager.

FIG. 10(a) shows a first calibration screen depicting an x-y axis of awireless power system portable programmer-calibrator (PPC), realized ona computer tablet. FIG. 10(b) shows a second calibration screendepicting a z-axis of a wireless power system programmer-calibration(PPC), realized on a computer tablet.

FIG. 11 shows a wireless power system portable programmer-calibrator(PPC) device with a menu screen.

FIG. 12 shows a second calibration screen of a wireless power systemportable programmer-calibrator (PPC) device.

FIG. 13 shows the modular components of a preferred embodiment of awireless power system portable programmer-calibrator (PPC) calibrationdevice.

FIG. 14 shows a method for calibrating a wireless power system.

FIG. 15(a), (b) are diagrams showing two resonator configurations withrepeater resonators.

FIG. 16(a) is a diagram showing a configuration with two repeaterresonators; FIG. 16(b) is a diagram showing a resonator configurationwith a device resonator acting as a repeater resonator.

FIG. 17 shows an exemplary repeater and a repeater programmer.

FIG. 18 shows a wireless power system including an outlet accessory andwireless dimmer control. A blender is configured to receive wired powerwhich is harvested using wireless power harvesting.

FIG. 19 shows a set of wireless power outlets.

FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b) show block-shaped resonator cells which areconfigured to be connected by resonator connectors and FIGS. 20(c),20(d), and 20(e) show pentagon and circular shaped resonator cells whichallow for alternative shapes than are realizable from block-shapedresonator cell.

FIG. 21(a) shows a resonator that is configured with one end that isshaped to be slid through the second end in order to produce a resonatorof variable circumference, FIG. 21(b) shows two resonators of FIG. 21(a)deployed to particular circumferences and FIG. 21(c) shows two differentfixed circumference resonators which are configured with connectingmechanisms which allow the resonators to work as intended when pluggedinto devices with the connecting mechanisms.

FIG. 22 shows the daisy chainable components of a wireless power coil.

FIG. 23(a) and FIG. 23(b) show embodiments of a reconfigurable resonatorcoil.

FIG. 24 shows a reconfigurable telescoping resonator and a manualcontrol.

FIG. 25 shows 6 repeaters, 3 repeaters from two different classes ofrepeater, and the repeaters are provided with modular components whichare replaceable.

FIG. 26(a) shows an embodiment of a first and second repeater, eachconfigured with a port for allowing signals to be transmitted betweenrepeaters. FIG. 26(b) shows an embodiment of a first and second repeaterconfigured at a corner of a wall.

FIG. 27 shows an embodiment where the second repeater is shaped toprovide a different magnetic field than that of the first resonator.

FIG. 28 shows an embodiment of a repeater, which comprises a hinge.

FIG. 29(a) and FIG. 29(b) show embodiments of adjustable repeaters.

FIG. 30 shows a top view of approximately perpendicular repeaters in awireless power transfer system.

FIG. 31(a)-(c) show embodiments of a connector cable to connectresonators.

FIG. 32(a)-(d) show embodiments of the design of a connector cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As described above, this disclosure relates to wireless energy transferusing coupled electromagnetic resonators. However, such energy transferis not restricted to electromagnetic resonators, and the wireless energytransfer systems described herein are more general and may beimplemented using a wide variety of resonators and resonant objects.Therefore, we first describe the general technique, and then discloseelectromagnetic examples for wireless energy transfer.

Resonators

A resonator may be defined as a system that can store energy in at leasttwo different forms, and where the stored energy is oscillating betweenthe two forms. The resonance has a specific oscillation mode with aresonant (modal) frequency, f, and a resonant (modal) field. The angularresonant frequency, ω, may be defined as ω=2πf, the resonant wavelength,λ, may be defined as λ=c/f, where c is the speed of light, and theresonant period, T, may be defined as T=1/f=2π/ω. In the absence of lossmechanisms, coupling mechanisms or external energy supplying or drainingmechanisms, the total resonator stored energy, W, would stay fixed andthe two forms of energy would oscillate, wherein one would be maximumwhen the other is minimum and vice versa.

In the absence of extraneous materials or objects, the energy in theresonator 102 shown in FIG. 1 may decay or be lost by intrinsic losses.The resonator fields then obey the following linear equation:

${\frac{\mathbb{d}{a(t)}}{\mathbb{d}t} = {{- {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {\omega - {\mathbb{i}\Gamma}} \right)}}{a(t)}}},$where the variable a(t) is the resonant field amplitude, defined so thatthe energy contained within the resonator is given by |a(t)|². Γ is theintrinsic energy decay or loss rate (e.g. due to absorption andradiation losses).

The Quality Factor, or Q-factor, or Q, of the resonator, whichcharacterizes the energy decay, is inversely proportional to theseenergy losses. It may be defined as Q=ω*W/P, where P is thetime-averaged power lost at steady state. That is, a resonator 102 witha high-Q has relatively low intrinsic losses and can store energy for arelatively long time. Since the resonator loses energy at its intrinsicdecay rate, 2Γ, its Q, also referred to as its intrinsic Q, is given byQ=ω/2Γ. The quality factor also represents the number of oscillationperiods, T, it takes for the energy in the resonator to decay by afactor of e.

As described above, we define the quality factor or Q of the resonatoras that due only to intrinsic loss mechanisms. A subscript index such asQ₁, indicates the resonator (resonator 1 in this case) to which the Qrefers. FIG. 2 shows an electromagnetic resonator 102 labeled accordingto this convention. Note that in this figure, there are no extraneousobjects or additional resonators in the vicinity of resonator 1.

Extraneous objects and/or additional resonators in the vicinity of afirst resonator may perturb or load the first resonator, therebyperturbing or loading the Q of the first resonator, depending on avariety of factors such as the distance between the resonator and objector other resonator, the material composition of the object or otherresonator, the structure of the first resonator, the power in the firstresonator, and the like. Unintended external energy losses or couplingmechanisms to extraneous materials and objects in the vicinity of theresonators may be referred to as “perturbing” the Q of a resonator, andmay be indicated by a subscript within rounded parentheses, ( ).Intended external energy losses, associated with energy transfer viacoupling to other resonators and to generators and loads in the wirelessenergy transfer system may be referred to as “loading” the Q of theresonator, and may be indicated by a subscript within square brackets, [].

The Q of a resonator 102 connected or coupled to a power generator, g,or load 302, l, may be called the “loaded quality factor” or the “loadedQ” and may be denoted by Q_([g]) or Q_([l]), as illustrated in FIG. 3.In general, there may be more than one generator or load 302 connectedto a resonator 102. However, we do not list those generators or loadsseparately but rather use “g” and “l” to refer to the equivalent circuitloading imposed by the combinations of generators and loads. In generaldescriptions, we may use the subscript “l” to refer to either generatorsor loads connected to the resonators.

In some of the discussion herein, we define the “loading quality factor”or the “loading Q” due to a power generator or load connected to theresonator, as δQ_([l]), where, 1/δQ_([l])≡1/Q_([l])−1/Q. Note that thelarger the loading Q, δQ_([l]), of a generator or load, the less theloaded Q, Q_([l]), deviates from the unloaded Q of the resonator.

The Q of a resonator in the presence of an extraneous object 402, p,that is not intended to be part of the energy transfer system may becalled the “perturbed quality factor” or the “perturbed Q” and may bedenoted by Q_((p)), as illustrated in FIG. 4. In general, there may bemany extraneous objects, denoted as p1, p2, etc., or a set of extraneousobjects {p}, that perturb the Q of the resonator 102. In this case, theperturbed Q may be denoted Q_((p1+p2+ . . . )) or Q_(({p})). Forexample, Q_(l(brick+wood)) may denote the perturbed quality factor of afirst resonator in a system for wireless power exchange in the presenceof a brick and a piece of wood, and Q_(2({office})) may denote theperturbed quality factor of a second resonator in a system for wirelesspower exchange in an office environment.

In some of the discussion herein, we define the “perturbing qualityfactor” or the “perturbing Q” due to an extraneous object, p, asδQ_((p)), where 1/δQ_((p))≡1/Q_((p))−1/Q. As stated before, theperturbing quality factor may be due to multiple extraneous objects, p1,p2, etc. or a set of extraneous objects, {p}. The larger the perturbingQ, δQ_((p)), of an object, the less the perturbed Q, Q_((p)), deviatesfrom the unperturbed Q of the resonator.

In some of the discussion herein, we also define Θ_((p))≡Q_((p))/Q andcall it the “quality factor insensitivity” or the “Q-insensitivity” ofthe resonator in the presence of an extraneous object. A subscriptindex, such as Θ_(1(p)), indicates the resonator to which the perturbedand unperturbed quality factors are referring, namely,Θ_(1(p))≡Q_(1(p))/Q₁.

Note that the quality factor, Q, may also be characterized as“unperturbed”, when necessary to distinguish it from the perturbedquality factor, Q_((p)), and “unloaded”, when necessary to distinguishit from the loaded quality factor, Q_([l]). Similarly, the perturbedquality factor, Q_((p)), may also be characterized as “unloaded”, whennecessary to distinguish them from the loaded perturbed quality factor,Q_((p)[l]).

Coupled Resonators

Resonators having substantially the same resonant frequency, coupledthrough any portion of their near-fields may interact and exchangeenergy. There are a variety of physical pictures and models that may beemployed to understand, design, optimize and characterize this energyexchange. One way to describe and model the energy exchange between twocoupled resonators is using coupled mode theory (CMT).

In coupled mode theory, the resonator fields obey the following set oflinear equations:

$\frac{\mathbb{d}{a_{m}(t)}}{\mathbb{d}t} = {{{- {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {\omega_{m} - {{\mathbb{i}}\;\Gamma_{m}}} \right)}}{a_{m}(t)}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;{\sum\limits_{n \neq m}{\kappa_{mn}{a_{n}(t)}}}}}$where the indices denote different resonators and κ_(mn) are thecoupling coefficients between the resonators. For a reciprocal system,the coupling coefficients may obey the relation κ_(mn)=κ_(nm). Notethat, for the purposes of the present specification, far-field radiationinterference effects will be ignored and thus the coupling coefficientswill be considered real. Furthermore, since in all subsequentcalculations of system performance in this specification the couplingcoefficients appear only with their square, κ_(mn) ², we use κ_(mn) todenote the absolute value of the real coupling coefficients.

Note that the coupling coefficient, κ_(mn), from the CMT described aboveis related to the so-called coupling factor, k_(mn), between resonatorsm and n by k_(mn)=2κ_(mn)/√{square root over (ω_(m)ω_(n))}. We define a“strong-coupling factor”, U_(mn), as the ratio of the coupling and lossrates between resonators m and n, by U_(mn)=κ_(mn)/√{square root over(Γ_(m)Γ_(n))}=k_(mn)√{square root over (Q_(m)Q_(n))}.

The quality factor of a resonator m, in the presence of a similarfrequency resonator n or additional resonators, may be loaded by thatresonator n or additional resonators, in a fashion similar to theresonator being loaded by a connected power generating or consumingdevice. The fact that resonator m may be loaded by resonator n and viceversa is simply a different way to see that the resonators are coupled.

The loaded Q's of the resonators in these cases may be denoted asQ_(m[n]) and Q_(n[m]). For multiple resonators or loading supplies ordevices, the total loading of a resonator may be determined by modelingeach load as a resistive loss, and adding the multiple loads in theappropriate parallel and/or series combination to determine theequivalent load of the ensemble.

In some of the discussion herein, we define the “loading quality factor”or the “loading Q_(m)” of resonator m due to resonator n as δQ_(m[n]),where 1/δQ_(m[n])≡1/Q_(m[n])−1/Q_(m). Note that resonator n is alsoloaded by resonator m and its “loading Q_(n)” is given by1/δR_(n[m])≡1/Q_(n[m])≡−1/Q_(n).

When one or more of the resonators are connected to power generators orloads, the set of linear equations is modified to:

$\frac{\mathbb{d}{a_{m}(t)}}{\mathbb{d}t} = {{{- {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {\omega_{m} - {{\mathbb{i}}\;\Gamma_{m}}} \right)}}{a_{m}(t)}} + {{\mathbb{i}}\;{\sum\limits_{n \neq m}{\kappa_{mn}{a_{n}(t)}}}} - {\kappa_{m}{a_{m}(t)}} + {\sqrt{2\kappa_{m}}{s_{+ m}(t)}}}$$\mspace{20mu}{{{s_{- m}(t)} = {{\sqrt{2\kappa_{m}}{a_{m}(t)}} - {s_{+ m}(t)}}},}$where s_(+m)(t) and s_(−m)(t) are respectively the amplitudes of thefields coming from a generator into the resonator m and going out of theresonator m either back towards the generator or into a load, defined sothat the power they carry is given by |s_(+m)(t)|² and |s_(−m)(t)|². Theloading coefficients κ_(m) relate to the rate at which energy isexchanged between the resonator m and the generator or load connected toit.

Note that the loading coefficient, κ_(m), from the CMT described aboveis related to the loading quality factor, δQ_(m[l]), defined earlier, byδQ_(m[l])=ω_(m)/2κ_(m).

We define a “strong-loading factor”, U_(m[l]), as the ratio of theloading and loss rates of resonator m,U_(m[l])=κ_(m)/Γ_(m)=Q_(m)/δQ_(m[l]).

FIG. 1(a) shows an example of two coupled resonators 1000, a firstresonator 102S, configured as a source resonator and a second resonator102D, configured as a device resonator. Energy may be transferred over adistance D between the resonators. The source resonator 102S may bedriven by a power supply or generator (not shown). Work may be extractedfrom the device resonator 102D by a power consuming drain or load (e.g.a load resistor, not shown). Let us use the subscripts “s” for thesource, “d” for the device, “g” for the generator, and “l” for the load,and, since in this example there are only two resonators andκ_(sd)=κ_(ds), let us drop the indices on κ_(sd), k_(sd), and U_(sd),and denote them as κ, k, and U, respectively.

The power generator may be constantly driving the source resonator at aconstant driving frequency, f, corresponding to an angular drivingfrequency, ω, where ω=2πf.

In this case, the efficiency, η=|s_(−d)|²/|s_(+s)|², of the powertransmission from the generator to the load (via the source and deviceresonators) is maximized under the following conditions: The sourceresonant frequency, the device resonant frequency and the generatordriving frequency have to be matched, namelyω_(s)−ω_(d)=ω.Furthermore, the loading Q of the source resonator due to the generator,δQ_(s[g]), has to be matched (equal) to the loaded Q of the sourceresonator due to the device resonator and the load, Q_(s[dl]), andinversely the loading Q of the device resonator due to the load,δQ_(d[l]), has to be matched (equal) to the loaded Q of the deviceresonator due to the source resonator and the generator, Q_(d[sg]),namelyδQ _(s[g]) =Q _(s[dl]) and δQ _(d[l]) =Q _(d[sg]).These equations determine the optimal loading rates of the sourceresonator by the generator and of the device resonator by the load asU _(d[l])=κ_(d)/Γ_(d) =Q _(d) /δQ _(d[l])=√{square root over (1+U²)}=√{square root over (1+(κ/√{square root over (Γ_(s)Γ_(d))})²)}=Q _(s)/δQ _(s[g])=κ_(s)/Γ_(s) =U _(s[g]).Note that the above frequency matching and Q matching conditions aretogether known as “impedance matching” in electrical engineering.

Under the above conditions, the maximized efficiency is a monotonicallyincreasing function of only the strong-coupling factor, U=κ/√{squareroot over (Γ_(s)Γ_(d))}=k√{square root over (Q_(s)Q_(d))}, between thesource and device resonators and is given by, η=U²/(1+√{square root over(1+U²)})², as shown in FIG. 5. Note that the coupling efficiency, η, isgreater than 1% when U is greater than 0.2, is greater than 10% when Uis greater than 0.7, is greater than 17% when U is greater than 1, isgreater than 52% when U is greater than 3, is greater than 80% when U isgreater than 9, is greater than 90% when U is greater than 19, and isgreater than 95% when U is greater than 45. In some applications, theregime of operation where U>1 may be referred to as the“strong-coupling” regime.

Since a large U=κ/√{square root over (Γ_(s)Γ_(d))}=(2κ/√{square rootover (ω_(s)ω_(d))})√{square root over (Q_(s)Q_(d))} is desired incertain circumstances, resonators may be used that are high-Q. The Q ofeach resonator may be high. The geometric mean of the resonator Q's,√{square root over (Q_(s)Q_(d))} may also or instead be high.

The coupling factor, k, is a number between 0≦k≦1, and it may beindependent (or nearly independent) of the resonant frequencies of thesource and device resonators, rather it may be determined mostly bytheir relative geometry and the physical decay-law of the fieldmediating their coupling. In contrast, the coupling coefficient,κ=k√{square root over (ω_(s)ω_(d))}/2, may be a strong function of theresonant frequencies. The resonant frequencies of the resonators may bechosen preferably to achieve a high Q rather than to achieve a low Γ, asthese two goals may be achievable at two separate resonant frequencyregimes.

A high-Q resonator may be defined as one with Q>100. Two coupledresonators may be referred to as a system of high-Q resonators when eachresonator has a Q greater than 100, Q_(s)>100 and Q_(d)>100. In otherimplementations, two coupled resonators may be referred to as a systemof high-Q resonators when the geometric mean of the resonator Q's isgreater than 100, √{square root over (Q_(s)Q_(d))}>100.

The resonators may be named or numbered. They may be referred to assource resonators, device resonators, first resonators, secondresonators, repeater resonators, and the like. It is to be understoodthat while two resonators are shown in FIG. 1, and in many of theexamples below, other implementations may include three (3) or moreresonators. For example, a single source resonator 102S may transferenergy to multiple device resonators 102D or multiple devices. Energymay be transferred from a first device to a second, and then from thesecond device to the third, and so forth. Multiple sources may transferenergy to a single device or to multiple devices connected to a singledevice resonator or to multiple devices connected to multiple deviceresonators. Resonators 102 may serve alternately or simultaneously assources, devices, or they may be used to relay power from a source inone location to a device in another location. Intermediateelectromagnetic resonators 102 may be used to extend the distance rangeof wireless energy transfer systems. Multiple resonators 102 may bedaisy chained together, exchanging energy over extended distances andwith a wide range of sources and devices. High power levels may be splitbetween multiple sources 102S, transferred to multiple devices andrecombined at a distant location.

The analysis of a single source and a single device resonator may beextended to multiple source resonators and/or multiple device resonatorsand/or multiple intermediate resonators. In such an analysis, theconclusion may be that large strong-coupling factors, U_(mn), between atleast some or all of the multiple resonators is preferred for a highsystem efficiency in the wireless energy transfer. Again,implementations may use source, device and intermediate resonators thathave a high Q. The Q of each resonator may be high. The geometric mean√{square root over (Q_(m)Q_(n))} of the Q's for pairs of resonators mand n, for which a large U_(mn) is desired, may also or instead be high.

Note that since the strong-coupling factor of two resonators may bedetermined by the relative magnitudes of the loss mechanisms of eachresonator and the coupling mechanism between the two resonators, thestrength of any or all of these mechanisms may be perturbed in thepresence of extraneous objects in the vicinity of the resonators asdescribed above.

Continuing the conventions for labeling from the previous sections, wedescribe k as the coupling factor in the absence of extraneous objectsor materials. We denote the coupling factor in the presence of anextraneous object, p, as k_((p)), and call it the “perturbed couplingfactor” or the “perturbed k”. Note that the coupling factor, k, may alsobe characterized as “unperturbed”, when necessary to distinguish fromthe perturbed coupling factor k_((p)).

We define δk_((p))≡k_((p))−k and we call it the “perturbation on thecoupling factor” or the “perturbation on k” due to an extraneous object,p.

We also define β_((p))≡k_((p))/k and we call it the “coupling factorinsensitivity” or the “k-insensitivity”. Lower indices, such asβ_(12(p)), indicate the resonators to which the perturbed andunperturbed coupling factor is referred to, namelyβ_(12(p))≡k_(12(p))/k₁₂.

Similarly, we describe U as the strong-coupling factor in the absence ofextraneous objects. We denote the strong-coupling factor in the presenceof an extraneous object, p, as U_((p)), U_((p))=k_((p))√{square rootover (Q_(1(p))Q_(2(p)))}, and call it the “perturbed strong-couplingfactor” or the “perturbed U”. Note that the strong-coupling factor U mayalso be characterized as “unperturbed”, when necessary to distinguishfrom the perturbed strong-coupling factor U_((p)). Note that thestrong-coupling factor U may also be characterized as “unperturbed”,when necessary to distinguish from the perturbed strong-coupling factorU_((p)).

We define δU_((p))≡U_((p))−U and call it the “perturbation on thestrong-coupling factor” or the “perturbation on U” due to an extraneousobject, p.

We also define Ξ_((p))≡U_((p))/U and call it the “strong-coupling factorinsensitivity” or the “U-insensitivity”. Lower indices, such asΞ_(12(p)), indicate the resonators to which the perturbed andunperturbed coupling factor refers, namely Ξ_(12(p))≡U_(12(p))/U₁₂.

The efficiency of the energy exchange in a perturbed system may be givenby the same formula giving the efficiency of the unperturbed system,where all parameters such as strong-coupling factors, coupling factors,and quality factors are replaced by their perturbed equivalents. Forexample, in a system of wireless energy transfer including one sourceand one device resonator, the optimal efficiency may calculated asη_((p))=[U_((p))/(1+√{square root over (1+U_((p)) ²)})]². Therefore, ina system of wireless energy exchange which is perturbed by extraneousobjects, large perturbed strong-coupling factors, U_(mn(p)), between atleast some or all of the multiple resonators may be desired for a highsystem efficiency in the wireless energy transfer. Source, device and/orintermediate resonators may have a high Q_((p)).

Some extraneous perturbations may sometimes be detrimental for theperturbed strong-coupling factors (via large perturbations on thecoupling factors or the quality factors). Therefore, techniques may beused to reduce the effect of extraneous perturbations on the system andpreserve large strong-coupling factor insensitivities.

Efficiency of Energy Exchange

The so-called “useful” energy in a useful energy exchange is the energyor power that must be delivered to a device (or devices) in order topower or charge the device. The transfer efficiency that corresponds toa useful energy exchange may be system or application dependent. Forexample, high power vehicle charging applications that transferkilowatts of power may need to be at least 80% efficient in order tosupply useful amounts of power resulting in a useful energy exchangesufficient to recharge a vehicle battery, without significantly heatingup various components of the transfer system. In some consumerelectronics applications, a useful energy exchange may include anyenergy transfer efficiencies greater than 10%, or any other amountacceptable to keep rechargeable batteries “topped off” and running forlong periods of time. For some wireless sensor applications, transferefficiencies that are much less than 1% may be adequate for poweringmultiple low power sensors from a single source located a significantdistance from the sensors. For still other applications, where wiredpower transfer is either impossible or impractical, a wide range oftransfer efficiencies may be acceptable for a useful energy exchange andmay be said to supply useful power to devices in those applications. Ingeneral, an operating distance is any distance over which a usefulenergy exchange is or can be maintained according to the principlesdisclosed herein.

A useful energy exchange for a wireless energy transfer in a powering orrecharging application may be efficient, highly efficient, or efficientenough, as long as the wasted energy levels, heat dissipation, andassociated field strengths are within tolerable limits. The tolerablelimits may depend on the application, the environment and the systemlocation. Wireless energy transfer for powering or rechargingapplications may be efficient, highly efficient, or efficient enough, aslong as the desired system performance may be attained for thereasonable cost restrictions, weight restrictions, size restrictions,and the like. Efficient energy transfer may be determined relative tothat which could be achieved using traditional inductive techniques thatare not high-Q systems. Then, the energy transfer may be defined asbeing efficient, highly efficient, or efficient enough, if more energyis delivered than could be delivered by similarly sized coil structuresin traditional inductive schemes over similar distances or alignmentoffsets.

Note that, even though certain frequency and Q matching conditions mayoptimize the system efficiency of energy transfer, these conditions maynot need to be exactly met in order to have efficient enough energytransfer for a useful energy exchange. Efficient energy exchange may berealized so long as the relative offset of the resonant frequencies(|ω_(m)−ω_(n)|/√{square root over (ω_(m)ω_(n))}) is less thanapproximately the maximum among 1/Q_(m(p)), 1/Q_(n(p)) and k_(mn(p)).The Q matching condition may be less critical than the frequencymatching condition for efficient energy exchange. The degree by whichthe strong-loading factors, U_(m[l]), of the resonators due togenerators and/or loads may be away from their optimal values and stillhave efficient enough energy exchange depends on the particular system,whether all or some of the generators and/or loads are Q-mismatched andso on.

Therefore, the resonant frequencies of the resonators may not be exactlymatched, but may be matched within the above tolerances. Thestrong-loading factors of at least some of the resonators due togenerators and/or loads may not be exactly matched to their optimalvalue. The voltage levels, current levels, impedance values, materialparameters, and the like may not be at the exact values described in thedisclosure but will be within some acceptable tolerance of those values.The system optimization may include cost, size, weight, complexity, andthe like, considerations, in addition to efficiency, Q, frequency,strong coupling factor, and the like, considerations. Some systemperformance parameters, specifications, and designs may be far fromoptimal in order to optimize other system performance parameters,specifications and designs.

In some applications, at least some of the system parameters may bevarying in time, for example because components, such as sources ordevices, may be mobile or aging or because the loads may be variable orbecause the perturbations or the environmental conditions are changingetc. In these cases, in order to achieve acceptable matching conditions,at least some of the system parameters may need to be dynamicallyadjustable or tunable. All the system parameters may be dynamicallyadjustable or tunable to achieve approximately the optimal operatingconditions. However, based on the discussion above, efficient enoughenergy exchange may be realized even if some system parameters are notvariable. In some examples, at least some of the devices may not bedynamically adjusted. In some examples, at least some of the sources maynot be dynamically adjusted. In some examples, at least some of theintermediate resonators may not be dynamically adjusted. In someexamples, none of the system parameters may be dynamically adjusted.

Electromagnetic Resonators

The resonators used to exchange energy may be electromagneticresonators. In such resonators, the intrinsic energy decay rates, Γ_(m),are given by the absorption (or resistive) losses and the radiationlosses of the resonator.

The resonator may be constructed such that the energy stored by theelectric field is primarily confined within the structure and that theenergy stored by the magnetic field is primarily in the regionsurrounding the resonator. Then, the energy exchange is mediatedprimarily by the resonant magnetic near-field. These types of resonatorsmay be referred to as magnetic resonators.

The resonator may be constructed such that the energy stored by themagnetic field is primarily confined within the structure and that theenergy stored by the electric field is primarily in the regionsurrounding the resonator. Then, the energy exchange is mediatedprimarily by the resonant electric near-field. These types of resonatorsmay be referred to as electric resonators.

Note that the total electric and magnetic energies stored by theresonator have to be equal, but their localizations may be quitedifferent. In some cases, the ratio of the average electric field energyto the average magnetic field energy specified at a distance from aresonator may be used to characterize or describe the resonator.

Electromagnetic resonators may include an inductive element, adistributed inductance, or a combination of inductances with inductance,L, and a capacitive element, a distributed capacitance, or a combinationof capacitances, with capacitance, C. A minimal circuit model of anelectromagnetic resonator 102 is shown in FIG. 6a . The resonator mayinclude an inductive element 108 and a capacitive element 104. Providedwith initial energy, such as electric field energy stored in thecapacitor 104, the system will oscillate as the capacitor dischargestransferring energy into magnetic field energy stored in the inductor108 which in turn transfers energy back into electric field energystored in the capacitor 104.

The resonators 102 shown in FIGS. 6(b)(c)(d) may be referred to asmagnetic resonators. Magnetic resonators may be preferred for wirelessenergy transfer applications in populated environments because mosteveryday materials including animals, plants, and humans arenon-magnetic (i.e., μ_(r)≈1), so their interaction with magnetic fieldsis minimal and due primarily to eddy currents induced by thetime-variation of the magnetic fields, which is a second-order effect.This characteristic is important both for safety reasons and because itreduces the potential for interactions with extraneous environmentalobjects and materials that could alter system performance.

FIG. 6d shows a simplified drawing of some of the electric and magneticfield lines associated with an exemplary magnetic resonator 102B. Themagnetic resonator 102B may include a loop of conductor acting as aninductive element 108 and a capacitive element 104 at the ends of theconductor loop. Note that this drawing depicts most of the energy in theregion surrounding the resonator being stored in the magnetic field, andmost of the energy in the resonator (between the capacitor plates)stored in the electric field. Some electric field, owing to fringingfields, free charges, and the time varying magnetic field, may be storedin the region around the resonator, but the magnetic resonator may bedesigned to confine the electric fields to be close to or within theresonator itself, as much as possible.

The inductor 108 and capacitor 104 of an electromagnetic resonator 102may be bulk circuit elements, or the inductance and capacitance may bedistributed and may result from the way the conductors are formed,shaped, or positioned, in the structure. For example, the inductor 108may be realized by shaping a conductor to enclose a surface area, asshown in FIGS. 6(b)(c)(d). This type of resonator 102 may be referred toas a capacitively-loaded loop inductor. Note that we may use the terms“loop” or “coil” to indicate generally a conducting structure (wire,tube, strip, etc.), enclosing a surface of any shape and dimension, withany number of turns. In FIG. 6b , the enclosed surface area is circular,but the surface may be any of a wide variety of other shapes and sizesand may be designed to achieve certain system performancespecifications. As an example to indicate how inductance scales withphysical dimensions, the inductance for a length of circular conductorarranged to form a circular single-turn loop is approximately,

${L = {\mu_{0}{x\left( {{\ln\;\frac{8x}{a}} - 2} \right)}}},$where μ₀ is the magnetic permeability of free space, x, is the radius ofthe enclosed circular surface area and, a, is the radius of theconductor used to form the inductor loop. A more precise value of theinductance of the loop may be calculated analytically or numerically.

The inductance for other cross-section conductors, arranged to formother enclosed surface shapes, areas, sizes, and the like, and of anynumber of wire turns, may be calculated analytically, numerically or itmay be determined by measurement. The inductance may be realized usinginductor elements, distributed inductance, networks, arrays, series andparallel combinations of inductors and inductances, and the like. Theinductance may be fixed or variable and may be used to vary impedancematching as well as resonant frequency operating conditions.

There are a variety of ways to realize the capacitance required toachieve the desired resonant frequency for a resonator structure.Capacitor plates 110 may be formed and utilized as shown in FIG. 6b , orthe capacitance may be distributed and be realized between adjacentwindings of a multi-loop conductor 114, as shown in FIG. 6c . Thecapacitance may be realized using capacitor elements, distributedcapacitance, networks, arrays, series and parallel combinations ofcapacitances, and the like. The capacitance may be fixed or variable andmay be used to vary impedance matching as well as resonant frequencyoperating conditions.

It is to be understood that the inductance and capacitance in anelectromagnetic resonator 102 may be lumped, distributed, or acombination of lumped and distributed inductance and capacitance andthat electromagnetic resonators may be realized by combinations of thevarious elements, techniques and effects described herein.

Electromagnetic resonators 102 may be include inductors, inductances,capacitors, capacitances, as well as additional circuit elements such asresistors, diodes, switches, amplifiers, diodes, transistors,transformers, conductors, connectors and the like.

Resonant Frequency of an Electromagnetic Resonator

An electromagnetic resonator 102 may have a characteristic, natural, orresonant frequency determined by its physical properties. This resonantfrequency is the frequency at which the energy stored by the resonatoroscillates between that stored by the electric field, W_(E),(W_(E)=q²/2C, where q is the charge on the capacitor, C) and that storedby the magnetic field, W_(B), (W_(B)=Li²/2, where i is the currentthrough the inductor, L) of the resonator. In the absence of any lossesin the system, energy would continually be exchanged between theelectric field in the capacitor 104 and the magnetic field in theinductor 108. The frequency at which this energy is exchanged may becalled the characteristic frequency, the natural frequency, or theresonant frequency of the resonator, and is given by ω,

$\omega = {{2\pi\; f} = {\sqrt{\frac{1}{LC}}.}}$

The resonant frequency of the resonator may be changed by tuning theinductance, L, and/or the capacitance, C, of the resonator. Theresonator frequency may be design to operate at the so-called ISM(Industrial, Scientific and Medical) frequencies as specified by theFCC. The resonator frequency may be chosen to meet certain field limitspecifications, specific absorption rate (SAR) limit specifications,electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) specifications, electromagneticinterference (EMI) specifications, component size, cost or performancespecifications, and the like.

Quality Factor of an Electromagnetic Resonator

The energy in the resonators 102 shown in FIG. 6 may decay or be lost byintrinsic losses including absorptive losses (also called ohmic orresistive losses) and/or radiative losses. The Quality Factor, or Q, ofthe resonator, which characterizes the energy decay, is inverselyproportional to these losses. Absorptive losses may be caused by thefinite conductivity of the conductor used to form the inductor as wellas by losses in other elements, components, connectors, and the like, inthe resonator. An inductor formed from low loss materials may bereferred to as a “high-Q inductive element” and elements, components,connectors and the like with low losses may be referred to as having“high resistive Q's”. In general, the total absorptive loss for aresonator may be calculated as the appropriate series and/or parallelcombination of resistive losses for the various elements and componentsthat make up the resonator. That is, in the absence of any significantradiative or component/connection losses, the Q of the resonator may begiven by Q_(abs),

${Q_{{ab}\; s} = \frac{\omega\; L}{R_{a\;{bs}}}},$where ω, is the resonant frequency, L, is the total inductance of theresonator and the resistance for the conductor used to form theinductor, for example, may be given by R_(abs)=lρ/A, (l is the length ofthe wire, ρ is the resistivity of the conductor material, and A is thecross-sectional area over which current flows in the wire). Foralternating currents, the cross-sectional area over which current flowsmay be less than the physical cross-sectional area of the conductorowing to the skin effect. Therefore, high-Q magnetic resonators may becomposed of conductors with high conductivity, relatively large surfaceareas and/or with specially designed profiles (e.g. Litz wire) tominimize proximity effects and reduce the AC resistance.

The magnetic resonator structures may include high-Q inductive elementscomposed of high conductivity wire, coated wire, Litz wire, ribbon,strapping or plates, tubing, paint, gels, traces, and the like. Themagnetic resonators may be self-resonant, or they may include externalcoupled elements such as capacitors, inductors, switches, diodes,transistors, transformers, and the like. The magnetic resonators mayinclude distributed and lumped capacitance and inductance. In general,the Q of the resonators will be determined by the Q's of all theindividual components of the resonator.

Because Q is proportional to inductance, L, resonators may be designedto increase L, within certain other constraints. One way to increase L,for example, is to use more than one turn of the conductor to form theinductor in the resonator. Design techniques and trade-offs may dependon the application, and a wide variety of structures, conductors,components, and resonant frequencies may be chosen in the design ofhigh-Q magnetic resonators.

In the absence of significant absorption losses, the Q of the resonatormay be determined primarily by the radiation losses, and given by,Q_(rad)=ωL/R_(rad), where R_(rad) is the radiative loss of the resonatorand may depend on the size of the resonator relative to the frequency,ω, or wavelength, λ, of operation. For the magnetic resonators discussedabove, radiative losses may scale as R_(rad)˜(x/λ)⁴ (characteristic ofmagnetic dipole radiation), where x is a characteristic dimension of theresonator, such as the radius of the inductive element shown in FIG. 6b, and where λ=c/f, where c is the speed of light and f is as definedabove. The size of the magnetic resonator may be much less than thewavelength of operation so radiation losses may be very small. Suchstructures may be referred to as sub-wavelength resonators. Radiationmay be a loss mechanism for non-radiative wireless energy transfersystems and designs may be chosen to reduce or minimize R_(rad). Notethat a high-Q_(rad) may be desirable for non-radiative wireless energytransfer schemes.

Note too that the design of resonators for non-radiative wireless energytransfer differs from antennas designed for communication or far-fieldenergy transmission purposes. Specifically, capacitively-loadedconductive loops may be used as resonant antennas (for example in cellphones), but those operate in the far-field regime where the radiationQ's are intentionally designed to be small to make the antenna efficientat radiating energy. Such designs are not appropriate for the efficientnear-field wireless energy transfer technique disclosed in thisapplication.

The quality factor of a resonator including both radiative andabsorption losses is Q=ωL/(R_(abs)+R_(rad)). Note that there may be amaximum Q value for a particular resonator and that resonators may bedesigned with special consideration given to the size of the resonator,the materials and elements used to construct the resonator, theoperating frequency, the connection mechanisms, and the like, in orderto achieve a high-Q resonator. FIG. 7 shows a plot of Q of an exemplarymagnetic resonator (in this case a coil with a diameter of 60 cm made ofcopper pipe with an outside diameter (OD) of 4 cm) that may be used forwireless power transmission at MHz frequencies. The absorptive Q (dashedline) 702 increases with frequency, while the radiative Q (dotted line)704 decreases with frequency, thus leading the overall Q to peak 708 ata particular frequency. Note that the Q of this exemplary resonator isgreater than 100 over a wide frequency range. Magnetic resonators may bedesigned to have high-Q over a range of frequencies and system operatingfrequency may set to any frequency in that range.

When the resonator is being described in terms of loss rates, the Q maybe defined using the intrinsic decay rate, 2Γ, as described previously.The intrinsic decay rate is the rate at which an uncoupled and undrivenresonator loses energy. For the magnetic resonators described above, theintrinsic loss rate may be given by Γ=(R_(abs)+R_(rad))/2L, and thequality factor, Q, of the resonator is given by Q=ω/2Γ.

Note that a quality factor related only to a specific loss mechanism maybe denoted as Q_(mechanism), if the resonator is not specified, or asQ_(l,mechanism), if the resonator is specified (e.g. resonator 1). Forexample, Q_(l,rad) is the quality factor for resonator 1 related to itsradiation losses.

Section I—Wireless Energy System Probe/Calibrator

The following section describes embodiments using wireless energytransfer modeling and simulation to help a user in optimizing energytransfer efficiency. Extensive discussion of wireless energy transfermodeling and simulation is provided, for example, in commonly owned,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/668,756 published on Jun. 2, 2012 asUS publication 2012/0159956 A1 and entitled “Wireless energy transfermodeling tool”.

FIG. 8 is a two-dimensional plan view, showing an example wireless powersystem 800 or “network” deployed in a room, which may comprise at leastone wireless power source or transmitter 802 with at least one sourceresonator coil 804 and power receiver or device 806 with at least onedevice resonator coil 808. The power receiver 806 can be realized as acomponent of a device 806 such as a laptop, lamp, smartphone, or TV. Inthis example, the device 806 is a large screen TV situated on the floor.FIG. 8 also shows repeaters 810 a-810 g, which can be passive resonatorsthat allow transmitted energy to “hop” with good efficiency in order totravel larger distances than would be practically feasible using onlythe transmitter 802. Repeater resonators 810 have been described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,825,543 issued Nov. 2, 2010 and entitled “Wireless energytransfer,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/720,866 published onOct. 14, 2010 as U.S. publication 2010/0259108 A1 and entitled “Wirelessenergy transfer using repeater resonators,” which are incorporated byreference herein. As is shown in FIG. 10(a) and FIG. 10(b), therepeaters may be located on the back wall of a room, and the device 806may be slightly closer to the wall then the transmitter 802. Althoughthe coils 804, 808 are shown as being parallel to the page, this is forillustration purposely only. In the figures, the orientations may bemade to provide a clear illustration of the figure, while in practicethe system components and coils are preferably oriented for improvedwireless power transmission and reception, when this is possible. Therepeaters 810 can contain circuits which allow them to be tuned (e.g.,by changing their impedance properties), detuned, or otherwise adjusted.

In order to efficiently transmit energy from the source coil 804 to thedevice coil 808, the repeaters 810 may be spaced at locations that aredetermined by the specifications, or “operational characteristics”, ofthe repeater and other wireless power system 800 components. Inembodiments, the source and/or device and/or repeater resonatorlocations may be preferably adjusted to improve some aspect of wirelesspower transmission. For example, if repeaters 810 are placed closelytogether then the cost and complexity of implementing the system 800 mayincrease without providing any additional benefit. If repeaters arespaced far apart, there may be inefficient transfer which can causeunwanted effects on wireless system performance. For example, the powerneeded by the device 806 may not adequately be supplied by the system800 and/or efficiency of the system may be decreased.

In the determination of appropriate locations for repeaters 810, severalparameters (e.g., transmission strength of transmitter) can come intoplay. These factors can be entered by a user and operated upon by amodeling module of a wireless power system 800, such as the modelingmodule 1322 shown in FIG. 13 of a portable programmer-calibrator (PPC)1002, which has other modules that communicate with the modeling module1322 to allow for operations which may include but may not be limited tomodeling, measurement, calibration, testing, control, operation,adjustment, and simulation of a wireless power system 800. The modelingmodule 1322 may be configured to model at least two (2) real orsimulated wireless system components, based upon their specifications(which may include real-world or modeled operational characteristics, oroperational characteristics stated as accurate by the manufacturer), inorder to determine the system characteristics that would be realized byat least one particular embodiment of a wireless power system. Inembodiments, when the PPC 1002 is configured with sensing orcommunication means then empirical measurements related to the actualoperation of the network 800 can be used in the modeling module 1322 aswell.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary plan view showing an alternative example wirelesspower system 800 deployed in a room, which comprises first and secondwireless power transmitters 802 a, 802 b each with at least one sourceresonator coil 804 a and 804 b. The system also contains two powerreceivers 806 a, 806 b each with at least one device resonator coil 808a and 808 b. There are also repeaters 810-J1 to 810-J16 which in thisillustration are tile repeaters, in other words, floor tiles with builtin repeaters 810. The repeaters can be modular “repeater cells” and canbe inserted into, and removed from, the tiles in order to replace faulty“repeater cells”. The repeaters have been labeled with 100%, 95%, or 50%to represent the efficiencies measured during an exemplary calibrationroutine. Further, there is a repeater which has been programmed to be“off”, which is a functional status that may have been set by toggling acontrol on the repeater itself, either manually or programmably (e.g., aschedule implemented by a timer in the repeater), or via a communicationcommand sent from another component (e.g. the transmitter 802) in thewireless power system. A system component which is “off” may be adjustedso that the relevant resonator is detuned, and therefore does notinteract, or minimally interacts with the other components of thewireless power system 800. Other manners of adjusting a component of thesystem 800 to be in an “off” state will be discussed. A wireless systemmanager 900 is also shown, which may be implemented either as anindependent component, or as a module of a transmitter 802, repeater810, receiver 806, modeling module 1322 of a PPC 1002, and/or device806, such as a computer, smart-phone, or a processor chip which may behard coded or configured to run software for providing wireless systemmanagement. When a repeater is configured with a wireless system manager900, then it may be termed a “master” component and may communicate withand/or control other components of the wireless power system 800.

The resonators of a wireless power system 800 may be named or numberedor otherwise uniquely identified. They may be referred to as sourceresonators, device resonators, first resonators, second resonators,repeater resonators, and the like. It is to be understood that while tworesonators such as a source resonator 804 and target resonator 808 canconstitute a wireless power system other implementations may includethree (3) or more resonators, as shown in FIG. 8 and in other examples.For example, a single source resonator 804 may transfer energy tomultiple device resonators 808 (or to multiple devices attached to asingle resonator 808). Energy may also be transferred from a firstdevice 806 to a second, and then from the second device to the third,and so forth. Multiple source transmitters 802 may transfer energy to asingle device 806 or to multiple devices connected to a single deviceresonator or to multiple devices connected to multiple deviceresonators.

Resonators 804, 808 may serve alternately or simultaneously astransmitting resonators 804, and harvesting resonators 808, or they maytemporarily function as active or passive repeaters to relay power froma source in one location to a device in another location. Intermediateelectromagnetic resonators may be used to extend the distance range ofwireless energy transfer systems, and may be termed “repeaters” 810. Aswill be shown, multiple resonators may be daisy chained together (byphysically contacting each other and/or by interacting wirelessly) andcan serve to transmit energy over extended distances and with a widerange of sources and devices. When a high power level is to betransferred, then the power may be distributed across multiple sourceresonators 804 and then transferred to a target resonator 808 a, or tomultiple target resonators or devices and these resonators and/ordevices may then recombine the power at a relatively distal location.Additionally, certain paths of transmission within a room may beconfigured for higher power transmission while other paths areindependently provided with different power loads and/or for differentpower transmission levels.

Since the strong-coupling factor between resonators may be determined bythe relative magnitudes of the loss mechanisms of each resonator and thecoupling mechanism between the two resonators, the strength of any orall of these mechanisms may be perturbed in the presence of extraneousobjects in the vicinity of the resonators. Extraneous perturbations maysometimes be detrimental and may lower the perturbed strong-couplingfactors (via large perturbations on the coupling factors or the qualityfactors). Therefore, as will be described, techniques, devices, andarrangements may be used to reduce the effect of extraneousperturbations on the system and preserve large strong-coupling factorinsensitivities.

In some applications, system parameters may vary in time. For example,variations may occur because components, such as sources or deviceresonators 804, 808, may be mobile, defective, or deficient due to agingassociated with normal use or damage due to an acute event, and becausethe loads may be variable or because the perturbations or theenvironmental conditions are changing etc. In these cases, in order toachieve acceptable transmission efficiency (via reasonable matchingconditions), at least some of the system parameters may need to beadjustable or tunable. As will be discussed, in cases where compensationadjustments cannot be made to a sufficient extent then powertransmission may be halted completely in order to decrease the wastingof power, and alternatively an alert or message may be provided to auser of the system.

All the system parameters may be adjustable or tunable to achieveapproximately the desired operating conditions. However, sufficientlyefficient energy exchange may be realized even if some system parametersare not variable. In some examples, at least some of the systemcomponents may not be dynamically adjusted. Further, at least some ofthe sources, targets or repeater resonator circuits or devices may notbe dynamically adjusted. System calibration and monitoring routines mayidentify when energy exchange is not optimal, and transmission may behalted or the paths of transmission may be changed. Accordingly, theremay be default paths which are used, and there may also be “alternative”or “back up” paths that are relied upon when the default path does notproduce the desired results.

FIG. 10(a) shows an exemplary first calibration screen 1004 of a firsttype of wireless power system portable programmer-calibrator device(PPC) 1002, realized on a computer tablet and configured to run softwarethat allows, for example, modeling, calibration, and control of awireless power system 800. The display 1004 may depict an x-y axisrepresentation of a wireless power system 800 as shown in FIG. 8. FIG.10(b) shows a second exemplary calibration screen 1006 depicting az-axis representation of the same room. The computer tablet can begeneric tablet such as an iPad™ or Google Nexus™ which contains all thesoftware and hardware required for PPC operation including, for example,wireless communication, processing, control, display, memory storage,power supply, GPS or other location capability, user interaction, imagecapture (video/camera) functionality, etc. The tablet can also be anelectronic reader such as Nook™ or Amazon Kindle™ which is outfittedwith wireless-power system simulation and evaluation capability (WSSE),realized by software, or a software module, or a physical module whichmay be attached via USB, for example, or a web-based service or programwhich may communicate with the tablet using wireless connectivity. ThePPC 1002 can also be realized using a laptop, desktop, smartphone, orother comparable device having any or all of the processor, memory,display, and related components found in conventional computing devices.The WSSE can also be implemented as part of a modeling module 1322implemented by the PPC 1002.

In order to set-up, maintain, adjust, and calibrate a wireless powersystem 800 in various settings, a user may wish to be able to relativelyeasily establish a wireless power system 800 that operates more or lessas expected. The WSSE can assist with this initial set-up as well aswith other tasks. In exemplary embodiments, and based upon the needs ofthe power system, the shape and characteristics of the environment inwhich the system 800 may operate, and the structures which may bepresent in, or which may enter, the environment during operation, a usermay be able to determine where to situate various components of thewireless power system 800, may be able to set (or tell the system toset) correct operating parameters, and may be able to determine if thesystem is working effectively or has a problem.

The WSSE may allow a user to calculate and/or predict parameters andefficiencies when setting up a wireless system 800. For example, if aroom is a 15′ by 15′ room with a transmitter on one side and a TV on theother, the user may use the WSSE to determine how many repeaters may beused to transmit power between the wireless source and the TV. The usermay take a snapshot of the room or download a three dimensional model ofthe room into the WSSE and may operate the WSSE to determine an optimalnumber of repeaters in order to achieve a certain wireless powertransfer efficiency which may be a user settable parameter and that mayhave a minimum value reflecting practical issues such as heatdissipation and human exposure limits A user may restrict certainregions of the room where repeaters may or may not be placed and theWSSE may optimize repeater placement given those restrictions. Inembodiments, a used may specify the types of repeaters and/or the costof repeaters and/or the size of repeaters that the WSSE may use to routewireless power from a source to the TV. In embodiments, a WSSE mayinclude the ability to model other wireless power transfer techniquesand may instruct users to use a variety of wireless power schemes inorder to realize efficient power distribution in a room. For example, aWSSE may recommend that power delivery to fixed position devices in aroom such as a TV, refrigerator, couch, window air conditioning unit,and the like, be realized using directed radio frequency or opticalbeams and that highly resonant wireless power sources and/or repeatersand/or devices be installed in regions of the rooms where devices arelikely to be movable. We envision a highly capable WSSE that can becontinually improved through software, firmware, hardware and the likeimprovements. In addition, a WSSE may be able to store filesrepresenting certain spacers within a home, certain components availablefrom near-by stores, certain implementations that have been favorablydeployed, and the like. The WSSE may be able to download reviews fromthe internet and assign scores to certain wireless power components,brands, implementations and the like based on various types of ratingsor acquired user reviews and preferentially suggest systemimplementations that use those components.

The performance of a wireless power system 800, containing at least twocomponents and operating according to a set of parameter values andprotocols, can be calculated using modeling operations provided by theWSSE in order to provide predicted wireless system performance data. Thedata may include operating characteristics related to the modeledperformance of a first and second component of a wireless power system800. The performance results may be calculated using at least onemodeling algorithm in the modeling module 1322 that incorporates valuesreflecting wireless power system 800 characteristics. For example, abasic algorithm may rely upon an operational characteristic for a firstand second component of the network, such as the amount of power that isreceived when the components are separated by 1 foot, and may also relyupon a distance measure related to the first and second component. Thealgorithm may also incorporate a wireless power system characteristicvalue that is related to: A) a wireless power transmission protocol thatwill be used by a first component of the system 800; B) power needs of asecond component of the system 800; C) temperature information; D)information related to the relative orientation between at least tworesonator coils; E) information provided by a user; F) information thatis sensed by at least one sensor of the PPC 1002; G) information that iscommunicated to the PPC 1002; H) information related to at least onebarcode, serial number, or model number; I) information related to avirtual model; J) a set of at least one image captured by a digitalcamera; and K) GPS and/or RFID data. A further algorithm may includeinformation related to three (3) or more system components, and also mayinclude operational characteristics of these components and distancemeasures related to the component positions.

The modeled performance results may include the costs for running thesystem as a function of an interval such as hour, day, month or year aswell as incorporating estimates for running the system in a standby, lowpower, or active state related to average usage of various types ofdevices. The performance result data may also include a likely range ofperformance as well as performance rating. For example the range ofperformance results for a certain measure (e.g., cost) may becategorized. The top 25% may be a preferred range, whereby the system isoperating very efficiently and according to the model. The top 26-50%range may represent good, likely, or “acceptable” system performance.The 51-75% range may reflect what might occur if one or more systemcomponents is not functioning correctly and is “bad” or “failing”. The“76-100%” range of performance may be “unacceptable”. In one embodimentthe user may compare measured system performance to simulated systemperformance and evaluate the results within the “performance zone” whichcorresponds to the empirical results. In an automatic mode, the PPC 1002may use the modeled results as part of a calibration routine. In thisroutine the PPC 1002 can do a comparison and reconfigure the system orinstruct a user to reconfigure the system if real and modeled resultsare not similar enough.

If the room is the room shown in FIG. 8(a) then the WSSE can representthat room graphically as is shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b). The model ofthe room may be created using a graphic-based user interface that allowsusers to drag and drop components into a simulated model of the room.Alternatively, if the PPC 1002 is configured with a digital camera, thenthe user may operate the PPC 1002 to take a picture or video of the roomand insert or assign values/labels for system components to objects onthe screen using a menu option 1008 which, when selected, may providethe user with additional screens housing additional options. Forexample, the user may click on any object which has been identified onthe screen 1004 and define the component which it represents (e.g. arepeater, a transmitter, etc.) as well as assign a value such as themodel number or other relevant parameter related to the systemcomponent. These options can also be obtained from look-up tables in theWSSE (or modeling module 1322 or memory module 1312). For example, ifthe user inputs the model number into the PPC 1002, then the modelingmodule 1322 can use a look up table to associate this with the operatingparameters for that model number. Accordingly, the user can input themodel number, parameter values, or specifications of a wireless powertransmitter 802, repeaters 810 a and 810 c, and a device 806 such as aTV, as well as the receiver being used 806 and the protocol which isused by the receiver. The user can then be informed by the WSSE aboutdifferences in efficiency, cost per unit hour of use, or otheroperational characteristic of the wireless power system that wouldresult by adjusting the system 800 according to a particular systemspecification and operational parameter values. For example, the effectsof replacing the repeaters 810 a and 810 c with different models ofrepeaters, or varying the distance measures of the repeaters 810 a and810 c, (either by entering the values using text value or by graphicallymoving the components on the screen) could be calculated by the WSSE.Distance measures can be discrete distances, ranges, or likely regions(which may be defined by a user graphically indicating which portions ofthe region are “hot zones” which are those regions in which it is morelikely for a device to be present). The wireless power components may besimulated with respect to two dimensional or 3-dimensional distances.Additionally, components may be defined by relative position,orientation, pose, and angles of source and device resonator coils.

Double clicking on any of the components of the screen may allow a userselect and then adjust parameters related to a wireless systemcomponent. Further, in the case where the room where the system will beimplemented is not nearby, then the user can use the PPC 1002 to createa two-dimensional or three-dimensional virtual-world model such as aroom. In the case where the components have been purchased and installedthen the user can also input the information about each component byentering their serial numbers or using the webcam of the PPC 1002 toscan barcodes of the components. The user can also create models basedupon real and/or simulated system 800 components. For example, afterentering data related to the actual configuration of a wireless system800 that is implemented within a room, the user can add additionalcomponents (e.g., related to spare system components that may not yet beinstalled or additional components that the user is consideringpurchasing) and the PPC 1002 could operate its simulation programsincluding operation of the modeling module 1322 to show the user theeffect of various scenarios. In response to these modeling results, theuser may actually install additional system components, swap out alreadydeployed components with alternative components, or order morecomponents. Ordering more components may be managed by purchasing andtransaction software provided in the PPC 1002, which places orders overthe internet and may also provide for payment of the items using itscommunication module 1308.

The modeling module 1322 may also be configured to automaticallyoptimize a room design or power transfer scheme based on data related toa selected set of system components and the dimensions of a room, set ofrooms, or entire house. The system performance result calculated by thePPC 1002 may then be presented to the user using module 1306. Automaticoptimization can be constrained by the user indicating regions wheresystem components may reside or where these may not reside, and theoptimization process provided by the WWSE may incorporate theseparameters and/or any user inputs. When the simulation programautomatically optimizes the arrangement of components of the wirelessnetwork 800, the optimization may be calculated according to a setpriority. For example, a user could prioritize factors such as cost,reliability of performance, or allowing components to reside withincertain ranges of location. Additionally, data related to operating costand system performance may be presented to the user as tables or graphs.For example, performance results may be plotted as the cost andperformance curves related to a particular wireless power systemscenario. This representation may be valuable for a user and/or systeminstaller since these results may not change linearly with adjustment tovarious system components or their locations. Further, certainparameters could be restricted, in various manners. For example, thesystem design being simulated may require a particular type or strengthof wireless power transmitter, and/or the location of a transmitter maybe restricted to a certain region. It might also be useful in someinstances to allow repeaters to be added to the model, and to allow theoperational characteristics of repeater to be specified. Differentmanufacturers may distinguish themselves by providing the WSSE modulewith design and optimization software programs that may be customizedfor their particular system components or wireless power transferprotocols.

The PPC 1002 may also be designed to wirelessly communicate with atleast some of the components of the system 800 in order to learn theiridentity. In this case, the PPC 1002 can also be configured to provideautomated or semi-automated automated “power network discovery” and thiscan occur if a user selects the appropriate menu option 1008. A GPS,RFID, or other technology may assist with this type of automateddiscovery process. The identifying technology can be implemented withineach component in order to allow the computer to construct the room,set-up with no, or little, manual user entry. Although the communicationand/or identification technology can reside within the components of thepower network system 800, such as in the environmental/location moduleof a repeater 810, the communication/identification technology can beimplemented within a separate calibration facilitation accessory (whichmay be embodied in a pager-sized device) that can have a subset of themodules of the PPC 1002. The user can place the calibration facilitationaccessory on any of the components of the wireless network during thenetwork discovery process so that these may be readily identified. Thecalibration facilitation accessory can be realized as a programmeraccessory 210 which may further connect to system components. Further,during system modeling and calibration the PPC 1002 can set, or the usercan manually set, wireless network components into a “discovery mode” inwhich the components can operate according to routines defined in thecontrol module 1304 to provide an identification “ping” signal, supplywireless power, supply wireless power in a short pattern over anexpected interval, dither frequency or impedance, or otherwise assistthe PPC 1002 in identifying system components and their operatingparameters so that appropriate parameter values may be modeled and/orset. In one embodiment signaling and communication may be performedusing an in-band communication channel that uses the same, or similar,fields as are used for energy transfer. Many schemes are known forachieving in-band communication on a power channel such as modulatingthe power signal to provide information (e.g. timed pulsing or amplitudemodulation). In other embodiments the signaling may be implemented usingout-of band communication, or a mixture of both in-band and out-of-band.In yet another embodiment, the wireless power components may be “probed”with a signal that may be reflected back to the PPC. The reflectedsignal may comprise, location information, component structureinformation, power handling information, environmental information,information regarding the perturbed Q of any wireless power resonatorsand the like.

The wireless power simulation system 800 and the PPC 1002 can operate sothat data is entered into the simulation software using wirelesscommunications and the simulation software may be further configured tooperate a communication system. When the PPC 1002 is configured tooperate as part of a wireless power network system 800 it may beconfigured as a wireless power network controller which may be operableto provide various properties and features. For example, at least one ofthe components of the wireless power network 800 can provide forwireless communication capability with the device PPC 1002 operating thesimulation software. In this case, a particular component or “node” ofthe wireless power system 800 may be assigned a parameter value thatsets it as a master component of the network. A master component (whichmay be implemented as a wireless system manager 900) can be responsiblefor communicating with the PPC 1002 operating the modeling software andat least one other component of the network 800. A master device may beconfigured to achieve at least communication in which it can requestinformation from the other wireless power components which it may thenrelay to the PPC 1002. A master device may be configured to determine anoperating mode of the wireless power network 800 by controlling theother components of the system.

Communications between system components and a master component or thePPC 1002 can be sent using data which is openly available or which maybe encrypted for security purposes. In order to provide for only certainintended components participating or controlling the wireless powersystem 800, the communication protocols may require that communicationsbetween system components be authenticated. Alternatively, systemcomponents can be required to be authenticated before communication fromthem is accepted or processed by the PPC 1002 or master systemcomponent, which may be serving as a network controller. Authenticatedcommunications may be useful in settings where more than one wirelessnetwork 800 exists within a given region or where portable wirelessenergy devices, such as a laptop of a user who is only temporarilylocated within the network, may be present. Since the simulation andcontrol modules may be operated from many types of devices that canserve as a PPC 1002, master components or other components of the systemthat communicate wirelessly with a PPC 1002 may be provided withcommunication protocols wherein a user may be authenticated in order toreconfigure the power network 800. In embodiments, any user, or any userwith a password may reconfigure at least a subset of components of thewireless power network system 800. Additionally, the system componentsmay be characterized so that any user may reconfigure one or morecharacteristics of the power network, or a selected set ofcharacteristics of the wireless power network. In this manner, inaddition to default parameter settings which may be used by the wirelesspower network, ad-hoc power network configurations can be established,at least temporarily. The PPC 1002, and/or master system component, maybe programmable so that the ad-hoc power network settings may revertafter a selected duration, or when a revert-to-default criterion is met.

The PPC 1002 may allow a wireless power user and/or system installer tolearn about differences in operating efficiency/capacity that may berealized by incorporating at least one additional repeater 810 b, oreven several additional repeaters, 810 d, 810 e, 810 f, and 810 g intothe system 800, and to learn what the effect would be of transmittingpower along a single path or using multiple and/or different paths. Forexample, wireless power efficiency and/or power delivery capabilitiesmay be accessed using path D1-D3-D4-D5 alone or in conjunction with apath that moves from 810 c to 810 d to 810 e for example. Additionally,the user and/or installer could examine the system performance and costsof putting a first repeater at position 810 b rather than 810 c, so thatthe power had to travel along D2 rather than D1.

By plugging the PPC 1002 into, for example, a system component such as810 a, or by sensing the field that 810 a was generating when the systemwas operated, the PPC could use the WSSE of the modeling module 1322(and its energy consumption module component) to compare the actual tomodeled performance of the system and provide these comparison resultsto the user/installer. The comparison results may include estimates ofboth modeled and actual cost to operate the system. The comparisonresults may be operated upon by the modeling module, and may also enablethe PPC 1002 to provide suggestions to the user for adjusting theparameters of the system in order to improve system performance.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary PPC 1002 running an example version of WSSEsoftware. In this example, the menu button 1008 of FIG. 10(a) wasselected by a user and the MAIN screen 1100 is now displayed. The MAINscreen 1100 may be configured to show options related to the PPC 1002operation. In this illustration, these include a selection “testcomponent” 1102 which may allow the PPC 1002 to test a device 806,repeater 810, or transmitter 802 in order to determine if it is workingcorrectly. In the case of testing a transmitter 802, selecting “TestComponent” may cause the PPC 1002 to send a request for power to thetransmitter 802 (which might toggle the transmitter to an “on” or“reply” state). After the PPC 1002 senses the transmitted power and/orthe reply signal to ascertain the transmitter's characteristics, the PPC1002 may send a communication signal that it no longer needs power(which may cause the transmitter to turn to its “off” state). In thismanner, the PPC 1002 could test the transmitter 802 by mimicking whatmight occur during cell-phone charging routine, for example, without theuser having to wait for the cell-phone to charge fully and then send an“off” request. The tests which might be run for different componentsmight be defined in a test module of the control module 1304, and/ormight be defined by the user.

The “calibrate” option 1104 can cause a calibration routine to be run,as defined in the control module 1304. The routine may use thetransmitter module 1110 or receiver module 1112, which are configured totransmit or receive wireless power signals and which may be configuredas a distributed form of the transmission and reception modules 1314,1302 of the PPC running under control of the controller module 1304.Modules 1110 and 1112 may be configured with necessary hardware, such asresonator coils (or may attach to such coils) and capacitors, and thesemodules may be configured with USB connectors in order to connect to USBports of the PPC 1002. Modules 1110 and 1112 may also be configured asstand-alone accessories that may have wired or wireless communicationcircuitry in order to communicate with the PPC 1002. In FIG. 11 themodules 1110, 1112 are shown connected to the PPC 1002 via its USBports. Because these ports may not provide sufficient power to themodules 1110, 1112, these modules may also have power cords that connectto sources of conventional AC power.

The “Sense” option 1106 can cause a sensing routine to be run as definedby a sensing protocol of the control module 1304, and can operate onsensed signals that are received through the power receiver module 1112.In one example of a sensing routine, the user may select the “sense”option in order to measure the power being relayed from a repeater 810which is relaying power from a remote transmitter 802.

Selecting the “Enter System Info” option 1108 can invoke a menu whereusers are able to identify components of the wireless system 800 byentering, for example, operating parameters or model numbers (which maybe indexed through look-up tables). When the PPC 1002 has a camera, atleast some of this information can be scanned in from a serial number,bar code, or other visual identifier. This information can also beobtained using WiFi communication, RFID technology, near fieldcommunication, and other available wired or wireless communicationfacilities from devices 806. Further the transmitter and receivermodules 1110, 1112 or other modules of the PPC 1002 may be configuredwith infrared, GPS, cellular positioning, temperature, laser, pressure,light and other sensors to obtain information about an environment(distance, temperature, etc.) which can be processed by theenvironmental/location module 1324.

The PPC 1002 of FIG. 11 may be configured with a resonator accessory1114, which may function as a source, repeater and/or device resonatorand/or which may be configured as a traditional inductive coil. Theresonator accessory 1114 may be shaped like a wand and may beself-contained, or may have input ports for receiving different types ofresonator coils and associated circuitry. For example, resonator coils,can have base modules that are configured circuitry and shaped to allowthese to be interchangeably plugged into the resonator accessory 1114.The resonator accessory 1114 may provide additional functionalitybecause it can be separated from modules 1110, 1112. For example, if thePPC 1002 is calibrating a system component such as repeater 810, thenthe PPC 1002 transmits wireless power to the repeater 810 andsimultaneously attempts to measure the field which the repeater 810emits. By using the resonator accessory 1114 as a receiver, the PPC 1002can sense fields that are away from the PPC. Likewise, the resonatorassembly may be configured as a wireless source and the wireless fieldsmay be sensed using the receiver 1112 of the PPC. In some embodiments,the PPC may comprise more than one resonator assembly. The PPC 1002 canuse its communication module 1308 to communicate with at least oneremote transmitter 802 to cause the initiation of wireless power signalsand to energize a wireless power system rather than relying upon its owntransmitter 1110. In embodiments where the transmission fields of aremote transmitter 802 may be unknown, or the transmitter is too distantfrom a repeater 810 to energize it, the ability to transmit wirelesssignals from a local transmitter as part of system measurement andcalibration routines implemented by a control module 1304 may be ofgreat benefit.

Further, the PPC 1002 may be provided with an interface accessory 1116which may allow the PPC 1002 to communicate with components of thewireless system 800 using either wireless or wired communication (e.g.,a USB cable). For example, instead of measuring the field that isrelayed by a repeater device 810, it may be possible to connect to aninput/output (I/O) port (e.g., a USB port) of the repeater 810, and tosense information related to internal components, such as currents,voltages, power levels, etc. In this manner a device may be probeddirectly without measuring the resulting field. Further, the interfaceaccessory 1116 may be able to connect to the I/O port 1702 b and toobtain measurements or data related to various aspects of the repeater810 operation, such as capacitance, voltage, or other values of thecircuitry. This can occur if the I/O port 1702 b of the repeater 810 isattached directly to repeater components, or if the I/O port 1702 b isconfigured to communicate with a control module 1304 or communicationmodule 1308 of the repeater 810. Further, the PPC 1002 may be configuredto send control commands to the repeater 810 through the I/O port 1702 bwhich may cause the control module 1304 of the repeater to adjust itsinternal operations and circuitry by way of its adjustment module 1318.This can occur while a power field is being transmitted by the PPC 1002and can assist in determining if a component of the repeater 810 isworking correctly under load.

FIG. 12 shows other exemplary functions that may be realized by a PPCand an exemplary screen of the PPC 1002. The block diagram identifiessome of the exemplary functions that may be displayed on a systemconfiguring screen 1200. The exemplary option to calculate optimal paths1202 may allow users to see which potential power paths are best fortransmitting energy according to empirical calibration results and/ormodeled/simulated performance predictions of a system. The screen mayalso allow the user to access, identify, calculate, design and the like,main power paths, as well as back-up power paths, which can be used if aremote device 806 indicates it is not receiving sufficient power due toa disruption in or too many devices being fed by a main path, forexample. Further, the screen may display icons, text fields, movableitems, connecting lines, spinners, sliders, and the like that allowusers to configure power paths, power levels, etc. which may be selectedto operate at certain times during the day or for certain durations oftime, for example. In an embodiment, all available power paths may becontrolled to be used during the evening hours when a family is at homewhile a subset of power paths are controlled for use during the day,when usage is less (or vice versa if the user is normally away fromtheir house in the evenings).

The option to “adjust transmission parameters” 1204 may allow a user toprogram a wireless power transmitter and to adjust the frequencies ofthe signals used in transmission, transmission times, strengths, andpatterns, and other parameters of transmission protocols which may beimplemented in by the control module 1304 of the transmitter 802.

The option to adjust receiver parameters 1206 may allow a user toprogram a wireless power receiver and to adjust the frequencies of thesignals which may be intended to be captured (i.e. the characteristicsof the resonator circuit), wireless receiving schedules, and otherparameters of receiver protocols which may be implemented by the controlmodule 1304 of the receiver 806.

The option to calculate energy usage/efficiency 1208 may allow a user todetermine how much power may be used per hour, day, month, or year, andthe user can see how toggling certain parameters, or increasingefficiency at certain points of the wireless power system 800 can alterenergy usage.

The option to calculate energy predicted/actual 1210 may allow a user tocompare measured results of a system to modeled results in order todetermine system efficiency, which may be decreased by such factors asill performing components, obstacles that affect the perturbed Q, etc.

The options to enter energy class 1212, 1214 may allow the user to enterinformation about the class of receiver or transmitter component, forexample different classes may provide wireless energy at certain levels,at certain distances, or according to different criteria which may bemet to be included in the class. This is akin to the different wiredelectrical protocols that are used to provide electricity or informationin different countries around the world.

The option referred to as “zones” 1216 may allow a user to enterinformation about what system components are to be included in differentzones. In embodiments, zone 1 can be emergency devices such as smokealarms, garage doors and other devices that require electricity even inthe case of an emergency. Exemplary zone 2 can be the first floor of ahouse, whereas zone 3 can be the second floor, and zone 4 can be outdoorzones related to sprinkler systems or driveway heating systems. Zonescan be selected and modified and rules can be applied to different zone.An exemplary embodiment of power control using the “zone” functionalityis to set a rule such as “only power zone 4 between 5 and 7 p.m. onweekdays”.

FIG. 13 shows exemplary modular components of a preferred embodiment ofa PPC 1002. The components of the PPC 1002 shown in FIG. 13, can besimilar or even identical for the transmitter 802, receiver 806,repeater 810, and system manager 900 can be similar or even identical.The components can be realized in a distributed or modular fashion andcomponents of some modules may be shared with, or may share componentsof other modules. Distributed components may utilize modules orcomponents of other devices to which the modules are connected or towhich they communicate in a wired or wireless manner. In these figures,not all the modules may be included. For example, as disclosed, a simplePPC 1002 may only include a power receiver module, a control module anda display. Further, as will be disclosed, a particular module of onesystem component may be a little different than that analogous module ina different component. For example, the power module 1326 of a PPC 1002may not provide for connection to a wired source (such as a conventionalwall socket), while the power module 1326 of the transmitter 802 mayusually provide for a wired power source in order to obtain largeramounts of power that may be required for power transmission to occur.Further while the communication module 1308 of the PPC 1002 may beconfigured to initiate communication with a repeater 810, thecommunication module 1308 of the repeater 810 may be configured torespond to communication initiated by the PPC 1002. Accordingly, many ofthese differences will be disclosed in this specification, but will alsobe understood by those skilled in the art, when such details relating tothese differences are omitted in this disclosure.

Additional Embodiments of Portable Programmer-Calibrators (PPCs)

As has been disclosed, programming and calibration of the component of awireless system 800 may improve the overall performance of wirelesspower systems and may give users/installers the capability of optimizingtheir systems for coverage, cost, component count and the like. In thecase where any component of the system is not functional or is onlypartially functional, it would be preferred if such a component could beidentified, tested, and possibly adjusted or replaced. Without thecomponents and techniques disclosed herein, it may be difficult toidentify the faulty components in a system consisting of more than a fewcomponents. In response to calibration results, system components maybenefit from being adjusted by being programmed or reprogrammed Aportable programmer-calibrator (PPC) can provide for such programming,both during and after a calibration session. Programming and calibrationmay also be realized in a distributed fashion using multiple PPCs.Although we have already disclosed some of the PPC function in FIGS.10-12, PPCs may be configured to provide additional functions nowdescribed. Further, the PPC 1002 may be configured to only provide asingle function, or a subset of these functions.

An exemplary embodiment of the PPC 1002 can be seen in FIG. 13 wheremodules which may be realized by hardware and/or software constitute thePPC operational system 1300, which may be housed entirely within asingle device or distributed across other components of the wirelesspower system 800. In a simple embodiment, a PPC 1002 may be a meterconfigured to measure a field produced by a component of the wirelesssystem 800. In this case, the meter might contain a receiver module 1302having at least one resonator and receiver circuitry related toharvesting power from an oscillating electromagnetic field. The receivermodule 1302 may also contain transducer circuitry modifying theharvested power before it is measured and/or used to provide power tothe PPC 1002. The PPC 1002 may further contain a control module 1304with calibration control circuitry which can control the other modulesof the PPC 1002 such as the receiver module 1302 and the harnessing ofwireless power field. The control module 1304 can also contain a CPU forperforming calculations and performing a calibration according to acalibration protocol and parameters as well as a real time clock.

The PPC 1002 may also contain a display module 1306 for displayinginformation relating to measurements such as the field strength of amagnetic field that is measured during calibration. When measuring atransmitter, the meter can be placed a given distance from thetransmitter and might display a characteristic (field strength) whichwas measured. In an alternative embodiment the receiver module 1302 maybe provided with circuitry for measuring and displaying at least twocharacteristics of the wireless field, such as field strength andfrequency of the field oscillation. In a further embodiment thecalibration control module can control the harvesting circuitry toadjust its characteristics as it is measuring the wireless field. Forexample, the control module 1304 may operate to ramp the capacitance ofresonator across a range, take measurements at different instantaneouscapacitance values and determine what the peak frequency was (which is afunction of the capacitance) in which the maximum energy harvesting wasmeasured (such a calibration method can be shown in a method of FIG. 14,along with greater specificity).

In an alternative embodiment, the PPC 1002 may be configured with atleast one communication module 1308 which can communicate eitherwirelessly or using a cable (wired), with other components of thewireless system such as a remote transmitter 802 or wireless systemmanager 900, in order to control the signals that may be transmitted.For example, the PPC 1002 can communicate with the transmitter 802 tocause it to transmit wireless power signals related to a calibrationroutine implemented by the control module 1304. The user could watch thePPC display to see the characteristics of signals that were sensed fromeither the transmitter 802 or from a repeater 810. The PPC 1002 maysense the fields directly through circuitry in contact with a resonator808 of a harvester 806, or may obtain readings using its communicationmodule 1308 using either wireless or wired means such as a cable (e.g.,USB) that is attached to a device 800 or harvester 806. The ability tocommunicate with a system component such as a repeater 810 using wiredsignals may be advantageous because simultaneously sensing a wirelesspower field and a data communication signal from a system component,such as a repeater, may be challenging in various situations. Furtherwhen the PPC 1002 senses wireless signals which may be putatively beingemitted by a particular system component, while the PPC 1002, or othersystem components are transmitting signals, it may be difficult todissociate the signals which are emanating from different sources. Bymeasuring what is going on inside a component of the wireless powersystem, more accurate readings may be obtained. The communication module1308 can provide for communication, control or power signals to be sentor received between the PPC 1002 and other devices of the system 800. Inembodiments, the PPC operational system 1300 can include an alarm module1310.

The PPC 1002 can be further provided with a memory module 1312 which canstore the calibration results, IDs of system components that have beenor will be calibrated, as well as various parameters and protocolsrelated to calibration routines which the control module 1304 mayimplement. The memory module 1312 can store a log of PPC 1002 operationsand communications (an “operating history”), including records ofinformation that may have been transferred or received and timestampsfor each record. The memory module 1312 can also store historicalinformation which may be obtained through communication with othernetwork components, such as operating histories of devices with which itcommunicates, including a history of parameter changes. In addition,information related to system settings, performance, historicaloperating parameters, and the like, may be stored remotely, such as inthe cloud, and may be available to be retrieved by a variety of devicessuch as laptops, cell phones, PPCs, and the like, through wireless andor wired communication links.

In an alternative embodiment, the PPC 1002 could contain its own powertransmission module 1314, which may be configured to transmitcalibration or other wireless power signals through at least one sourceresonator, so that a user could monitor the effects of that energytransmission such as how much energy is being harvested by differentdevices which can be sensed by the PPC 1002, displayed by a visualindicator on a device 810, or communicated by a system component to thePPC 1002 or wireless system manager 900. Similar to the receiver module1302, the transmission module 1314 can have its own circuitry foradjusting the characteristics of the signals that are transmitted.

In an alternative embodiment, the PPC 1002 could contain a transmittermodule 1314 which may be realized using a transmitter coil that could bemoved away from the PPC's harvesting resonator of the power receivermodule, as shown in 1114 of FIG. 11. Accordingly, the transmitter module1314 could transmit a wired power signal to a system component such as arepeater 810 and the power receiver module 1302 of the PPC 1002 couldmeasure the field produced by the repeater 810. In this case, thetransmitted signals and harvested signals might experience decreasedoverlap/interference.

As shown in FIG. 11, a transmitter 1110 and receiver 1112 may be tooclose to each and may interact in a way that reduces the accuracy of thefunctions being performed by the PPC. By providing atransmitter/receiver “wand” accessory 1114, the transmitter or receivercan be moved far enough away from the PPC 1002 to improve the accuracyof the PPC functions. In an alternative embodiment, rather than aself-contained wand, this accessory can be terminated with variouscalibration coils for sending or harvesting wireless energy withdifferent characteristics. In a further embodiment, the PPC 1002 couldhave an interface cable 1116 that connects to a system component such asa repeater, and when the transmitter 802 transmits a signal, the PPC1002 can obtain its measurements directly from circuitry within therepeater 810 in order to perform the calibration routine rather thansensing results from its own sensing means 1114, 1112.

The PPC 1002 can further be provided with an input module 1316 whichallows a user to adjust and control the PPC 1002. The input module 1316may include all circuitry related to obtaining user input from anyreceived communication signals, manual/virtual/graphic controllers ofthe PPC 1002 such as a touch screen and any dials and knobs. Theadjustment module 1318 of the PPC 1002 may be configured to operate onthe user input information and to adjust the operation of the PPC 1002and/or other PPC modules (e.g., 1314), or any system components that maybe in the process of being programmed.

The PPC 1002 can be used to calculate improved paths for transmittingwireless signals. For example, the PPC may have a modeling module 1322that can be programmed with a model of room that contains distancemeasurements between components of the wireless system 800. The PPC canalso store calibration result measurements, derived from its calibrationreport module 1320, for each component in the wireless system in itsmemory module 1312. Using both of these pieces of information the PPCmodeling module 1322 can calculate the efficiency of different paths andalso can allow the user to choose those paths which will provide greaterefficiency (or it can do this itself). If a preferred path is chosen,the PPC may relay information, settings, parameters and the like to thecomponents of the wireless power transfer in order to make them operateas the user has specified. As example, the PPC may instruct certainrepeaters to detune from the system operating frequency, to open circuittheir resonators, to insert and adjustable load, and the like so thatthey may realized the operating conditions necessary to support thepower path chosen by the user/installer of the wireless power system.

An example of how this type of path defining operation may benefit auser of the network can be illustrated using the case of a floorcarpeted with X rows and Y columns of repeater tiles, which in thisexemplary embodiment will be set to be 4 rows and 4 columns. In theexample deployment shown in FIG. 9, a tile repeater 810-J6 at location(2, 2) was found to be performing at 50% efficiency during a calibrationsession. In the case where the PPC 1002 cannot reprogram the repeater810-J6 or otherwise adjust it to potentially improve its performance, itmay be advantageous to avoid the potentially negative impact of thisrepeater tile 810-J6 on the system performance by effectively removingthis repeater from the system. Repeater 810-J6 could be physicallyremoved from the system by a user/installer who might remove thatparticular carpet tile, or might replace that carpet tile by onecontaining a new resonator, or may replace the tile with a piece of tilethat does not include any wireless power functionality. Repeater 810-J6could also be logically removed from the system, by detuning or opencircuiting the resonator for example. Alternatively, if by replacementor improvement of the existing repeater structure 810-J6, it performancecould be improved, for example by raising the efficiency from 50% to85%, it may be reasonable to keep the repeater active in the intendedpath.

Various characteristics that may be considered by the modeling modulecan include, but are not limited to:

-   -   Number/geometry/orientation/type/componentry of repeaters. For        example, if only repeaters 810 a, 810 b, and 810 c are to be        installed in the area depicted in FIG. 8, then the amount of        power that might be safely delivered across the area may be        different than in more repeaters, namely repeaters 810 a to 810        g, were installed. The modeling software of a PPC could show        users what the predicted system performance will be based upon        the characteristics of the transmitter(s), the number, geometry,        orientation, type and componentry of the repeaters, the        receivers and the objects and materials in the local        environment.    -   Distance between pairs of repeaters. For example, if by keeping        the maximum distances between adjacent components of the first        path (i.e. D1, D3, D4 and D5) below 3 feet, transmission        efficiency was kept at 95%, and this was the minimum amount of        power needed to power device 800, then the distances would need        to be 3 feet or less apart.    -   Distance from transmitter to repeater. In another example,        modeling can determine the difference in the amount of power        and/or the efficiency of the transfer if a first repeater is 810        c, vs. 810 b (i.e. if the distance to the first repeater is D1        instead of D2). Further this modeling may suggest that power        transmission characteristics, or repeater characteristics may be        set differently in order to obtain a desired result.    -   Number of paths. For example, if there is a first potential        power path which goes from 804 to 810 c to 810 b to 810 a to        806, and a second potential power path which goes from 804 to        810 g, to 810 f, to 810 e, to 806, then the power provided at a        target could be less than if there was just one potential power        path. In that case, if there were not addition devices requiring        power along both potential power paths, a user may prefer the        wireless power system adjust itself so that only one potential        power path is enabled, thereby improving the end-to-end        performance of the system for the specified use case. That is,        in embodiments, it may be preferable to allow a user to        determine how many and which power paths should be established        for a particular application.    -   Interaction of paths. For example, the first and second        potential power paths discussed above may be close enough that        there may be interactions between the components identified as        belonging to one path or the other. The modeling module could be        used to calculate the performance of the system as various        components are added and removed from the paths, therefore        allowing the user to see the functional implications of allowing        potential power transmission paths to interact or not.    -   Repeater model/characteristics. For example, there may be        different models/types of repeaters which may have different        sizes, power hopping efficiencies, power handling capabilities        and the like.    -   Interactions between distance and number of paths. For example,        it may be that by adding repeaters 810 e, 810 f, and 810 g to        the wireless power transmission region that the maximum distance        between repeaters could be increased from 1 foot to 2 feet, due        to redundant transmission paths.    -   Comparisons between two configurations of repeaters. For        example, modeling may allow a user to determine if it is more        efficient (or preferred according to any other user requirement        or desired operating characteristics) to have a first potential        power path (810 a, 810 b and 810 c) and a second potential power        path (810 e, 810 f, 810 g), or to have a single potential power        path which has repeaters spaced half as far apart (i.e. at each        D/2 rather than at each D).    -   Redundant use. In another example, a user may want to know if it        is better to route energy from 810 c, to 810 b to 810 a to 806        and 810 g to 810 f to 810 e to 806, or if it is okay to route        from 810 c to 810 b to 810 a and also from 810 c to 810 d to 810        e so that in this case repeater 810 c is used by two (or more)        paths.    -   Malfunctioning repeater. In the case where repeater 810 d may        not support energy “hopping” with the desired and/or expected        efficiency (which can be evaluated as will be discussed),        reports and/or results from the modeling module may advise the        user/installer as to whether it is better to remove, detune, or        otherwise turn-off the repeater at 810 d and just send energy        from 810 c, to 810 b, to 810 a, and then to the target or to        utilize multiple power paths to transfer the energy.    -   Multiple transmitters/receivers. For example, the modeling        module may calculate and report the energy saving's/benefits of        using one transmitter for path 1 and 1 transmitter for path 2,        or using a single transmitter which powers both 810 c and 810 g        from a midpoint.

Various values may be entered into the modeling module for parametervalues including, for example: how much power will be needed (P_(need))at the device 806; how much power will be transmitted (P_(trans)); thedistance between repeaters (R_(dist), if the distances are uniform,R_(dist1) . . . R_(distn), if the distances vary); the distance betweenthe transmitter and the closest repeater (T_(Rdist)); the number ofpaths by which power may be transmitted (P_(paths)): the efficiency ofthe repeaters (P_(eff)); and number of repeaters (R_(num)); theinfluence on one path by another (P_(influence)); the model #'s of thewireless power system components; and the characteristics of variouscomponents.

Any and all of the calculations that the modeling module may execute maybe similar to and/or related to calculations that are currentlyperformed using electromagnetic simulation models and tools described atleast in U.S. Pat. No. 7,741,734 issued on Jun. 22, 2010 and entitled“Wireless non-radiative energy transfer,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,825,543 issuedon Nov. 2, 2010 and entitled “Wireless energy transfer,” U.S. Pat. No.8,076,801 issued Dec. 13, 2011 and entitled “Wireless energy transfer,including interference enhancement,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,362,651 issued Jan.29, 2013 and entitled “Efficient near-field wireless energy transferusing adiabatic system variations,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,461,719 issued Jun.11, 2013 and entitled “Wireless energy transfer systems,” and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/668,756 published on Jun. 20, 2012 as2012/0159956 A1 and entitled “Wireless energy transfer modeling tool,”and incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. In embodiments,the components of a wireless power transfer system may be described bytheir intrinsic Q's, the perturbed Q's, their coupling coefficients, k,their Strong Coupling Figure of Merit, U, their coupling rates, k, theirloss rates, G, and by or using any of the formalisms such as coupledmode theory, circuit theory, as described in this and the incorporatedreferences. In embodiments, calculations may be performed for a varietyof system parameters, ranges of system parameters and the like. Forexample, calculations may be performed for different system operatingfrequencies, for different source sizes, for differentrepeater-to-repeater U's, for different load impedances, and the like.In embodiments, a modeling module may run simulation software withsimilar capabilities to those currently associated with WiTricity'ssimulation tool referred to as WiCAD. As systems and modelingcapabilities improve, we anticipate that improved modeling capabilitiesmay also be incorporated into modeling modules of the PPC describedherein.

The PPC modeling module 1322 may operate upon the calibration resultsfor tile repeaters which were obtained during a calibration routine andstored in the reports module 1320, and can graphically present differentpotential deployment choices to a user using the display module 1306.For example, the PPC 1002 can allow the user to calculate the energyusage which may occur by implementing different wireless power schemesand paths. The user can calculate the efficiency that would be obtainedby turning a repeater tile off by toggling that module “off” in themodel. The user could then compare that calculated performance to thecalculated performance for the path including the potentially sub-partile repeater by toggling the sub-par repeater “on” in the model. Theseresults might also be compared to what would occur by sending poweralong various alternative routes. For example, the user may compare whatwould occur by sending power from the transmitter 802 a or 802 b to thereceiver 806 b along path 810-J5 to 810-J8. Alternatively, the user candetermine what would occur by sending power along a first path J1-J4,and through J8 compared to what would occur by sending power along asecond path from J8 to J11 to J10 to J5 to 806 b, compared to a thirdpath J8-J7-J2-J1-806 b. In the first route, the energy travels through 5repeaters but they are closer together than the 4 repeaters whichcomprise the second path. Further the modeling module can allow a userto determine what would occur using both routes to transmit powersimultaneously both in terms of efficiency, total power transmitted (interms of what would be available to the device 806 b) and othervariables.

The PPC model module 1322 can further operate the communication module1308 to then allow the user to program the components of the wirelessnetwork (e.g. 802, 806, 810-J1 to 810-J16) in order to implement theselected solution. After a solution is programmed, the PPC's modelingmodule 1322 may be used to verify the solution works as intended, usingthe comparison routines provided by the modeling module 1322. Forexample, the modeling module 1322 may calculate certain measurementsthat should be obtained in a particular point in the wireless powernetwork, and can instruct a user to make one or two measurements. Thesemeasurements can then be compared to the modeling results in order toverify that the wireless power network is working as expected, and thatthe measurements are within the user-selected and/or model-specifiedlimits. In the case where the measurements within a specified accuracy,then the wireless power system may be considered properly installed andset-up and wireless power transfer can be initiated. If the measurementsare not within a specified accuracy for the modeled system, thenadditional calibration of the system may be done and, if needed,additional calculations and models may be suggested and evaluated.

An example of this procedure can be understood by examining thecomponents shown in FIG. 9 and the method outlined in FIG. 14. In thisexample, assume the components in the room depicted in FIG. 9 haveundergone at least one calibration routine. Assume also that the 50%efficiency associated with repeater tile 810-J9 is an indication thatrepeater tile 810-J9 is less functional than the other repeaters in thearray. Step 1400 includes the entering of information and calculatingmodel results. Step 1402 includes selecting and implementing a model. Auser/installer may use a PPC modeling module 1322 to model a potentialpower path that includes repeater tile 810-J9, and may instruct a userand/or installer to measure at least one of a current, voltage, powerlevel, field strength, and the like, at various positions along thepath. These empirical measurements can be compared 1406 against theresults that were modeled in order to determine if the real performanceof the network is within a selected acceptable tolerance limits. If so,the results may be stored 1410 and the system may be operated 1412. Ifnot then system parameters may be modified according to systemadjustment rules 1408 the results may be re-evaluated and/or sensed 1404before being turned on.

The power module 1326 of the PPC 1002 may provide modeling, measurementand design capabilities for devices comprising power storage utilitiessuch as batteries, capacitors, super-capacitors and the like. Inembodiments, a PPC may be able to model and measure circuitry related topower conversion, such as DC to DC converters, DC to AC converters, andAC to DC converters, buck and/or boost converters, rectifiers,synchronous rectifiers, regulating rectifiers,over-current/voltage/temperature circuits, as well as other types ofregulation and power safety circuitry. The power module 1326 may alsosupport measurement of how much power remains, how much power is beingused, a historical record of how much power was harvested, transmitted,or used, and the like.

A wireless power system can have a wireless power transmitter that isconfigured to transmit a wireless power signal to a device and also awireless power receiver that is configured to measure a signal beingharvested by a device. The transmitter and receiver can be in the samedevice or two different physically distinct devices, and at least one ofthese devices may be configured to implement calibration software thatmay be operated within a control module 1304 that is configured toperform a calibration procedure by modifying either the signal that istransmitted, or the harvesting parameters of the receiver, according toa calibration procedure protocol that can be stored in a memory module1312. Alternatively, the software can be operated in a wireless powersystem manager device which controls and manages the various componentsof the system. Alternatively, the software can be implemented in a PPC1002.

The PPC 1002 may be configured with an environmental/location module1324 which may be able to calculate the position of a component and toprovide this position information as part of the calibration routine.The PPC 1002 may operate its modeling module 1322 to build a model ofthe system by requesting (e.g. or RFID information obtained via thecommunication module 1308), sensing (e.g. via optical sensor of theenvironmental/location module 1324), and/or assigning or allowing a userto assign, via user input module 1316 an identification value to anydevice which it is calibrating.

The PPC modeling module 1322 can also create a model of where thedifferent system components are located relative to each other basedupon the identification code of each device and its location. The PPC1002 software may be configured to operate communication circuitry 1308to communicate with a system component to obtain information and sendcommands that control the component.

The PPC 1002 may be a portable device that is hand held or may be adevice such as a device positioned on a cart with wheels. In this case,the horizontal distance from the floor can be adjusted in order tocontrol the distance between the target device (e.g., floor tile) andthe PPC for increased accuracy of measurement. The PPC can also containlocation/triangulation circuitry, transmitters, and sensors needed tocalculate the position within a room and determine if it is in thecorrect location to perform a calibration reading (which can be realizedas part of module 1324). For example, a calibration reading may not beaccurate if the PPC 1002 is two or three feet away from an intendedlocation. When the devices are repeaters 810 such as floor tiles, orcomponents that are located behind walls of a house, then thecalibration procedures may be improved when the PPC performs itscalibration from at least one or a set of specific locations.

The PPC can be configured to communicate with a wireless system manager900 and to obtain information about the one or more devices that arebeing calibrated such as information sensed from the device (e.g. the IDof the device, its power requirements, it's priority in a hierarchicalset of devices, etc.), the location of the calibration device and/or thedevice that is being calibrated if this is at a distance. A calibrationdevice or system manager can contain a location program which senseslocation information to increase the likelihood that the calibrationdevice is located precisely with respect to a device being calibrated ormonitored.

During the calibration routine, a PPC can program a device it isintending to calibrate in order to tune that particular device anddetune one or more adjacent devices so that the calibration signals maybe sent and sensed in a controlled manner.

A PPC may use a calibration routine that implements N calibrationsignals which are presented in series during the procedure. The signalscan change in power, center frequency, orientation, or any othercharacteristic parameter. For example, a calibration routine may use ahigh power signal and a lower power signal and measure the amount ofpower harvested when each signal is present in order to determine that aresonator is transmitting or harvesting in an intended manner. Becausethere may be nonlinearities in the transmission or harvesting, it may bevaluable to collect multiple operational data points and to assess morethan one of these data points as part of the calibration evaluation.

In an alternative calibration routine, a PPC can modulate the centerfrequency of the wireless power where X is the intended operatingfrequency at which a device is supposed to harvest maximum power, andX±f1 and X±f2 are both measured in order to determine the specificity ofa system.

Further, since a calibration routine may be configured for deriving aset of operating parameters that work best, and then adjusting theparameters of the receiving device or the transmitter to achieveimproved transmission, sweeping the frequency over a range, may not onlyallow the device to be evaluated, but may also serve to determine theoptimized system parameters that may be used after calibration.

In an alternative embodiment, a wireless power system comprises a PPC1002, which may or may not provide functions other than programming. Inthis case, the PPC 1002 may have an interface 1116 and circuitry 1308for communicating with a system component such as a repeater 810, and arepeater 810 may be configured with an interface 1702 b (shown in FIG.17) and circuitry for communication 1308 with the PPC 1002. Inembodiments, a repeater 810 may be a relatively simple device,comprising relatively few components, but the ability to provide forprogramming may greatly increase the functionality of a repeater 810. Inembodiments, some repeaters may comprise a programming facility and somemay not. In embodiments, systems may be comprised of only programmablerepeaters, of no programmable repeaters, or of a mix of any ratio ofprogrammable to non-programmable repeaters. In embodiments, aprogramming interface 1116 can include a physical connection 1702 b forconnecting a PPC 1002 to a system component and permitting signals to becommunicated between the PPC 1002 and the component 810. An interfacecan also be realized as wireless communication circuitry of thecommunication modules 1308 permitting signals to be communicated betweenthe programmer 1002 and the device 806. The PPC 1002 programming module,may be part of the adjustment module 1318, and can be configured toallow the PPC to program the control module of the repeater 1308,whereby the parameters of hardware of the repeater 810, which areimplemented by its control module 1304 may be adjusted. The PPC 1002 canalso be configured with a monitoring module, which may be realized aseither a power receiver module 1302 configured to allow the PPC 1002 tomonitor power signals relayed by the repeater 810, or by a communicationmodule 1308, which receives relevant data such as the characteristics ofpower harvested by the repeater 810 or other characteristics of therepeater 810 operation, such as the values of programmable parameterswhich are sent to the PPC by the communication module 1308 of therepeater 810. The programmer 1002 can comprise a display module 1306configured to allow the programmer 1002 to display information such asthe power harvested by the repeater 810 which it is monitoring. Theprogrammer 1002 can also be provided with wireless communicationcircuitry 1308 to permit signals to be communicated between theprogrammer 1002 and a remote system component, such as a remote powertransmitter 802, power system manager 900, or other PPC 1002.

Further the PPC 1002 can be a programmer-only device (i.e. there is nocalibration functionality provided to the PPC) which can be configuredwith an input module 1316 which is controlled by at least one manualadjuster such as a knob which allows a user to modulate a parameterwhich may be related to the operation of a programmer 1002, or may be aparameter which is communicated to a device 806 being programmed. Forexample, a user may turn the knob, and the programmer 1002 may send asignal to a device 806 being programmed which serves to change thecapacitance of the resonator circuit associated with the resonator coil808 of the device being programmed. In this manner the controls of theprogrammer 1002 can serve to control the devices 806 being programmed.The programmer 1002 can also have other controls which interact with theinput module 1316 to allow the user to modify the operations of theprogrammer 1002. While the programmer may only contain a few circuitsand may use the power of the devices it is programming when this poweris received via a wired connection of the communication module 1308 orpower module 1326, the PPC 1002 may also be designed as a moresophisticated device which includes many of the components found intoday's portable electronics such as software, a CPU including a realtime clock, a memory, communication circuitry, ports such as USB ports,wireless communication capabilities, network discovery and accesscapabilities and a power source, to name a few. A programmer 1002control module 1304 may be configured to enact an energy monitoringprotocol whereby a characteristic of the energy that is monitored isstored in a memory module 1312. In embodiments, characteristics of theenergy may be monitored over time according to a monitoring protocolimplemented by the control module 1304. The system component beingprogrammed, such as a device 806 or repeater 810, may be configured withcircuitry for adjusting its wireless power harvesting characteristicsbased upon communicating with the programmer 1002. When there isprovided means for communication between the repeater 810 and theprogrammer 1002, then the repeater 810 may be configured with circuitryfor providing the identification data (e.g., its model or serial number)to the programmer device 1002.

Energy Consumption Module

An energy consumption module (ECM) can provide a number of importantadvantages to a wireless power system. An ECM can be implemented as partof a modeling module 1322 and can monitor, measure, and model theperformance of a wireless power system 800 in order to calculate,report, and/or display consumption results. A consumption result mayreflect how much power is transmitted from a transmitter 802 or receivedat a target component (e.g., harvester 806 or repeater 810). Although anECM may be provided in the PPC 1002, it also may be provided as a moduleof at least one component in a wireless system 800, such as the wirelesssystem manager 900, or may be distributed across components. Although anECM is realized with the modeling module, and can operate on simulatedsystem components with defined operating characteristics, its value mayalso be realized by measuring empirical energy provision, harvesting,and usage, for example. An ECM may also utilize a mixture of real andsimulated wireless power system 800 components in order to determine themodeled result of adding an additional component to an existing system.

In embodiments, it may be preferable to be able to measure how muchenergy is transmitted from a source 802 in order to understand theamount of transmitted power that has been provided. Various consumptionresults can be calculated by an ECM, such as the energy transmitted. Theconsumption result can be calculated and reported as a measure relatingto an integrated sum, a historical average, a measurement for shortinterval of time or instantaneously, or an estimate of hourly, daily, ormonthly energy usage. Consumption results may be modeled over virtualtime periods, for example, based upon the present amount of energytransmission or a sample from a recent period that may be defined by auser, or may be based upon actual measures over those time periods.Because energy may be transmitted on a “per-request” basis rather thanon a continuous or periodic schedule, the amount of energy that has beenused for transmission may not be easily determined without the use of anECM. Accordingly, consumption results can be computed for “per-request”usage.

An energy transmission monitor, realized by an ECM, may be part of apower transmission module 1314. An ECM may be configured in order tosend a wireless alert (e.g., text or e-mail message) to a user via acommunication module 1308, or may display a visual or other indicator,using the display module 1308, if energy transmission usage goes beyondconsumption criteria such as upper or lower energy transmissionthresholds which may be stored in a memory module 1312. An unintendedincrease in energy usage may be important to detect and operated upon sothat consumers do not end up using much more power than theyanticipated. For example, the transmitted energy in a wireless powersystem may unexpectedly increase to compensate for system efficiencychanges owing to changes in temperature, a faulty resonator of awireless power transmitter, receiver and/or repeater, or any otherfactors that may influence efficiency of a wireless power receptionand/or transmission system.

In embodiments, it may be desirable to measure a consumption result suchas how much energy has been received by a particular component of thewireless power system in order to understand the amount power that hasactually been received by an intended target and also to identifypotential losses in an end-to-end system.

In embodiments, it may be desirable to measure and derive a consumptionresult such as the transmission efficiency by comparing the powertransmitted with the power received. In one embodiment, this may be doneby an ECM of a modeling module 1322 using data transmitted wirelessly tothe ECM from different components of the wireless power system 800. Thisinformation can also be inputted by a user, such as by using a softwareinterface, can be measured by a system component within which the ECMresides, at least in part, or can be computed based upon informationsent to the ECM from a calibration device 1002 after a calibrationsession is performed, in the case where the ECM does not exist withinthe calibration device 1002 itself. An ECM can also operate uponhistorical data stored by at least one wireless system component, suchas the master component 900, which may communicate the data to the ECM.Additionally, the master component may obtain, or measure, historicaldata from the other system components and then provide these data to theECM.

An ECM may be realized primarily in software, hardware, or a mixture ofthe two and can be realized discretely within the modeling module 1322or may use components from other modules. An ECM may provide itsconsumption results to a display, communicate these results over awireless communication system, and/or store these results within ahistorical log within the memory of a least one component in which it isrealized. An ECM may be configured to detect a consumption result suchas a change in the efficiency of a system and if the consumption resultsexceed a consumption criterion then a consumption contingent operationmay result such as alerting a user and/or system provider to suchchanges. If a consumption result exceeds a consumption criterion the ECMmay also perform other operations such as: a) changing an operatingcharacteristic of the wireless power system 800 such as the amount ofenergy that is transmitted; b) requesting permission from a user and/orsystem provider to make a change to the wireless power system 800; c)adjusting an operating characteristic of the wireless power system forat least a selected interval of time.

A wireless power system may result in unanticipated cost and energyusage when it is used in manners that were unintended or when componentsof the system are not working correctly. For example, if a device 806such as a cell-phone transmits a request to any available transmitter802 to be charged and a transmitter 802 transmits a power signal that isnot harvested well by the device 806, then the system may operateinefficiently. Further, if there are unexpected power drains due to, forexample, a malfunctioning repeater 810, then this may also increaseenergy consumption above what would be expected or desired by a user. Inembodiments, it may be desirable to allow a user to provide, or tointeract with an ECM that may provide information about energy costs, orcosts at different times of day, so that the ECM can calculateconsumption results, for the entire system or system components such astransmitters or receivers. The consumption results may include forexample, energy usage (e.g., watt hours), costs, and summary statisticsrelated to time intervals including hours, days, months, time intervalssuch as 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than one ECM may be implemented within awireless power system such as being included within a repeater 810,device 806, or other component of the wireless power system 800 in orderto assist a user in determining how the costs of the system aredistributed across the different components of the system 800.

An ECM can be realized as a component within a wireless power system 800which has at least two wireless power system components including awireless power transmitter 802 and a receiver 806. An ECM can beconfigured to measure the amount of power that has been received by oneor more selected network components. An ECM can be configured to comparethe amount of electricity that has been received by at least onecomponent of the network with the amount of power that has beentransmitted by a different component of the network in order to obtain aconsumption result related to relative energy reception level known as a“transmission efficiency”. Another type of relative energy consumptionresult that may be calculated is the amount of power that has beenreceived by at least one component of the wireless power networkcompared to a reference value (such as a historical amount of powerreceived by that component). Another type of consumption result is theamount of power that has been received by at least one component of thewireless power network which reflects an absolute energy receptionlevel. An absolute energy transmission amount or level is a consumptionresult that may be calculated as the energy required to operate thetransmitter. If energy transmission or the power required to providethis transmission increases above or decreases below a consumptioncriterion, then the ECM may perform a consumption operation defined forthat consumption condition. Correspondingly, if power receptionincreases above or decreases below a consumption criterion, then the ECMmay perform a consumption operation defined for that consumptioncondition. Additionally consumption criteria may apply to the varianceof energy reception or transmission, whereby if the variance exceeds arange defined as a consumption criterion (as may occur if there isinstability of wireless network system performance), then a compensatoryor other operation may occur. The consumption criterion can be appliedto an absolute or relative consumption result.

When modeling or adjusting a system, the user or device can hold certainparameters constant, and adjust at least one other system parameter. Inembodiments, multiple parameters may be simultaneously or sequentiallyadjusted. For example, distance, orientation of the coils, andtransmission coil type in relation to at least two system components canbe held constant, while transmission frequency, temperature range, andgeometry of the receiver coil (shape, size, or number of coil loops) canbe adjusted.

Section II—Repeater Management

A wireless power transfer system may incorporate a repeater resonatorconfigured to exchange energy with one or more source resonators, deviceresonators, or additional repeater resonators. A repeater resonator maybe used to extend the range of wireless power transfer. A repeaterresonator may be used to change, distribute, concentrate, enhance, andthe like, the magnetic field generated by a source or another resonatorof a wireless power system. A repeater resonator may be used to guidemagnetic fields of a source resonator around lossy and/or metallicobjects that might otherwise block the magnetic field. A repeaterresonator may be used to eliminate or reduce areas of low powertransfer, or areas of low magnetic field around a source. A repeaterresonator may be used to improve the coupling efficiency between asource and a target device resonator or resonators, and may be used toimprove the coupling between resonators with different orientations, orwhose dipole moments are not favorably aligned.

An oscillating magnetic field produced by a source magnetic resonatorcan cause electrical currents in the conductor part of the repeaterresonator. These electrical currents may create their own magnetic fieldas they oscillate in the resonator thereby extending or changing themagnetic field area or the magnetic field distribution of the source.

In embodiments, a repeater resonator may operate as a source for one ormore device resonators. In other embodiments, a device resonator maysimultaneously receive a magnetic field and repeat a magnetic field. Instill other embodiments, a resonator may alternate between operating asa source resonator, device resonator or repeater resonator. Thealternation may be achieved through time multiplexing, frequencymultiplexing, self-tuning, or through a centralized control algorithm.In embodiments, multiple repeater resonators may be positioned in anarea and tuned in and out of resonance to achieve a spatially varyingmagnetic field. In embodiments, a local area of strong magnetic fieldmay be created by an array of resonators, and the position of the strongfield area(s) may be moved around by changing electrical components oroperating characteristics of the resonators in the array.

In embodiments, a repeater resonator may be a capacitively loaded loopmagnetic resonator. In embodiments a repeater resonator may be acapacitively loaded loop magnetic resonator wrapper around magneticmaterial. In embodiments, the repeater resonator may be tuned to have aresonant frequency that is substantially equal to that of the frequencyof a source or device or at least one other repeater resonator withwhich the repeater resonator is designed to interact or couple. In otherembodiments, the repeater resonator may be detuned to have a resonantfrequency that is substantially greater than, or substantially less thanthe frequency of a source or device or at least one other repeaterresonator with which the repeater resonator is designed to interact orcouple. Preferably, the repeater resonator may be a high-Q magneticresonator with an intrinsic quality factor, Q_(r), of 100 or more. Insome embodiments, the repeater resonator may have quality factor of lessthan 100. In some embodiments, √{square root over (Q_(s)Q_(r))}>100. Inother embodiments, √{square root over (Q_(d)Q_(r))}>100. In still otherembodiments, √{square root over (Q_(r1)Q_(r2))}>100.

In embodiments, a repeater resonator may include only the inductive andcapacitive components that comprise the resonator without any additionalcircuitry for directly or physically connecting to sources, loads,controllers, monitors, control circuitry and the like. In someembodiments the repeater resonator may include additional controlcircuitry, tuning circuitry, measurement circuitry, or monitoringcircuitry. In embodiments, repeater resonators may be inductivelycoupled to tuning, sensing, powering, control, at the like circuitry.Additional circuitry may be used to monitor the voltages, currents,phases, inductances, capacitances, and the like of the repeaterresonator. The measured parameters of the repeater resonator may be usedto adjust or tune the repeater resonator. A controller or amicrocontroller may be used by the repeater resonator to actively adjustthe capacitance, resonant frequency, inductance, resistance, and thelike of the repeater resonator. A tunable repeater resonator may benecessary to prevent the repeater resonator from exceeding its voltage,current, temperature, or power limits. A repeater resonator may forexample detune its resonant frequency to reduce the amount of powertransferred to the repeater resonator, or to modulate or control howmuch power is transferred to other devices or resonators that couple tothe repeater resonator.

In some embodiments, the power and control circuitry of the repeaterresonators may be powered by the energy captured by the repeaterresonator. The repeater resonator may include AC to DC, AC to AC, or DCto DC converters and regulators to provide power to the control ormonitoring circuitry. In some embodiments the repeater resonator mayinclude an additional energy storage component such as a battery or asuper capacitor to supply power to the power and control circuitryduring momentary or extended periods of wireless power transferinterruptions. The battery, super capacitor, or other power storagecomponent may be periodically or continuously recharged during normaloperation when the repeater resonator is within range of any wirelesspower source.

In some embodiments the repeater resonator may include communication orsignaling capability such as WiFi, Bluetooth, near field communications,and the like that may be used to coordinate power transfer from a sourceor multiple sources to a specific location or device or to multiplelocations or devices. Repeater resonators spread across a location maybe signaled to selectively tune or detune from a specific resonantfrequency to extend the magnetic field from a source to a specificlocation, area, or device. Multiple repeater resonators may be used toselectively tune, or detune, or relay power from a source to specificareas or devices.

The repeater resonators may include a device into which some, most, orall of the energy transferred or captured from the source to therepeater resonator may be available for use. The repeater resonator mayprovide power to one or more electric or electronic devices whilerelaying or extending the range of the source. In some embodiments lowpower consumption devices such as lights, LEDs, displays, sensors, andthe like may be part of the repeater resonator.

In some embodiments a repeater resonator may be used to improve couplingbetween non-coaxial resonators or resonators whose dipole moments arenot aligned for high coupling factors or energy transfer efficiencies.For example, a repeater resonator 1506 may be used to enhance couplingbetween a source 1504 and a device 1508 resonator that are not coaxiallyaligned by placing the repeater resonator 1506 between the source 1504and device 1508 aligning it with the device resonator 1508 as shown inFIG. 15(a) or aligning with the source resonator 1504 as shown in FIG.15(b).

In some embodiments multiple repeater resonators may be used to extendthe wireless power transfer into multiple directions or multiplerepeater resonators may be arranged one after another to extend thepower transfer distance as shown in FIG. 16(a). In some embodiments, adevice resonator that is connected to load or electronic device mayoperate simultaneously or alternately as a repeater resonator foranother device, repeater resonator, or device resonator as shown in FIG.16(b). Note that there is no theoretical limit to the number ofresonators that may be used in a given system or operating scenario, butthere may be practical issues that make a certain number of resonators apreferred embodiment. For example, system cost considerations mayconstrain the number of resonators that may be used in a certainapplication. System size or integration considerations may constrain thesize of resonators used in certain applications.

In some embodiments the repeater resonator may have dimensions, size, orconfiguration that is the same as the source or device resonators. Insome embodiments the repeater resonator may have dimensions, size, orconfiguration that is different than the source or device resonators.The repeater resonator may have a characteristic size that is largerthan the device resonator or larger than the source resonator, or largerthan both. A larger repeater resonator may improve the coupling betweenthe source and the repeater resonator at a larger separation distancebetween the source and the device.

In some embodiments two or more repeater resonators may be used in awireless power transfer system. In some embodiments two or more repeaterresonators with two or more sources or devices may be used.

Repeater Monitoring and Control

A user or installer of a wireless energy transfer system may be facedwith the task of setting up a system, which may include one or moresources, one or more devices, and/or one or more repeaters. Duringinstallation or use of the wireless energy transfer system, the one ormore sources, devices, and repeaters may need to be adjusted foroptimizing energy transfer efficiency or any other parameter of thewireless power transmission system. In some embodiments, the one or moresources and devices may be installed or otherwise positioned once whilethe one or more repeaters may be positioned freely. The user canactivate, position, or otherwise adjust repeaters to optimize powerefficiency or any other parameter of the wireless power transmissionsystem.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a repeater 810, which may be configuredto allow wireless energy to “hop” amongst a set of resonators. Therepeater 810 can include a resonator coil (shown as a dotted arc 1700 inthe figure signifying a portion of the coil within the repeater housing)configured to relay wireless energy and a control module 1304 configuredfor control and monitoring of the repeater 810 components. The controlcircuitry of module 1304 may be configured, for example, to cause therepeater 810 to decrease power harvesting by adjusting circuitryassociated with the resonator in order to disrupt power harvesting. Thedecrease in power harvesting can be accomplished by methods such asadjusting the circuitry of the resonator to cause detuning of theresonator and/or opening a circuit so that electricity does not flowalong its otherwise intended path.

The control circuitry 1304 can be controlled by at least one manualcontrol of a set of manual controls 1708 a such as a knob or on/offswitch provided on the housing of the repeater 810. In one embodiment,this manual control can be used to allow a user to manually tune theresonance frequency of a repeater 810, and the repeater can display howmuch power is being harvested (or stored) using a display 1706 a inorder to assist the user in manually tuning/detuning the repeater 810.Alternatively, a communication module 1308 may be provided which isconfigured to send and receive wired or wireless control signals thatcause the circuitry of the modules of the repeater 810 to be controlled.In this manner the repeater can be turned on and off using an externaldevice such as a PPC 1002 using wireless communication 1308, 1308 or maybe controlled by signals communicated using a port 1702 b, wherein theport is configured allow physical connection to a PPC 1002 that isconfigured to monitor and control the repeater 810.

When the control circuitry 1308 is configured to monitor acharacteristic of the harvested and/or stored power, it can be furtherconfigured to provide this information to a display 1706 a or bycommunicating with a PPC 1002, or a remote transmitter 802 of a powernetwork. The repeater 810 may be configured with a power storage module1326 configured for storing wireless power according to a powermanagement protocol. The power management protocol may dictate storingpower during times when it is unlikely that other devices 806 will usepower generated by the wireless power field generated by the repeater810. These power storage interval times may be coded into the memory1312 of the repeater 810 which may be compared to time values of a realtime clock of the CPU of the control module 1304. The power storageinterval times may be stored in a remote wireless power transmitter 802which may send control commands to the repeater 810, or may be stored ina control/monitoring accessory 210 that has a port 1702 a that may beconfigured to be attached to the port 1702 b of the repeater 810. Thepower storage module 1326 may also be configured for storing wirelesspower according to a remote signal that may be sent from a device 806which it may normally power. For example, a device 806 such as a TV maysend a control signal to the repeater 810 when the TV is turned on orturned off and the repeater 810 can store the energy it receives onlywhen the TV is turned off. In this manner the TV power needs are notinterfered by the repeater operations related to recharging its powersupply 1326.

A control/monitoring accessory 1710 can provide certain advantages invarious embodiments of the present invention. For example, the repeater810 can be manufactured to be relatively simple such as only having aresonator, adjusting circuitry for adjusting the wireless powerharvesting, and communication circuitry for communicating through theport. Various other components which may exist in the repeater caninstead exist within a control/monitoring accessory 1710. Thecontrol/monitoring accessory 1710 can be attached to the port 1702 bacutely in order to adjust the repeater and then can be disconnected.Alternatively, a control/monitoring accessory can be attached to asimple repeater for a longer interval in order to provide increasedfunctionality during that interval. In embodiments, the capabilitiesand/or functionalities of a repeater resonator may be temporarily,intermittently, periodically or permanently altered by a dongleaccessory which may be connected to the repeater module in a wired orwireless fashion.

A repeater may be “associated” with a single device 806 such as a TV inthis exemplary embodiment. This association may occur by programmingcommunication modules 1308 of the repeater 810 and the communicationmodules 1308 of the harvester 806 of the device 806 to communicate witheach other. When a repeater 810 is associated with a device 806, then itmay operate to only modify its operation based upon communication withthe particular device 806 and to ignore other wireless signals fromother devices. In this manner a repeater 810 can serve as a dedicatedwireless power supply for a device 806. A repeater 810 can also becontrolled by wired signals which may be communicated from adjacentsystem components through its port 1702 b. For example, a device 806such as a TV mounted on a wall, may have wired connection to the ports1702 b of two repeaters 810 on the wall and may send control commandsover the wired connection to the repeaters 810 that harvest wirelessenergy sent from a remote transmitter 802.

Both the monitoring and control circuitry of the control module 1304 ofthe repeater 810 can be configured so that the circuitry can beprogrammably modified. For example, the module 1304 can be modified toonly monitor the repeater 810 during certain times, or can be modifiedto monitor the circuitry of the repeater 810 and only send signals usingthe communication module to a remote device 806 or transmitter 802 whencertain conditions occur. In one embodiment the monitoring circuitry ofthe control module 1304 may be programmed to monitor temperature usingan environmental/location module 1322 and to send a signal to a remotetransmitter 802 if the temperature is a below or above a range for whichthe repeater 810 may operate well. This feature provides the advantagethat the remote transmitter 802 may not waste energy transmitting energywhen the repeater 810 is not able to efficiently harvest and/or repeatthe energy due to an inappropriate temperature range. Alternatively, theremote transmitter 802 may adjust its transmission characteristics(e.g., increase the amount of energy it sends) in order to compensatefor decreased harvesting/repeating efficiency at the repeater 810. Thecontrol circuitry 1304 of the repeater 810 can be programmably modifiedin order to, for example, turn the repeater 810 on and off at differenttimes, or control any other aspect of the repeater's operation.

A remote transmitter 802 can recognize and control repeaters 810 whenthe control circuitry 1304 of the repeater 810 is further configured torespond to control commands which may be transmitted with an ID. This IDmay be hard coded or programmably assigned to the repeater 810. Forexample, the ID can exist in the memory module 1312 of the repeater 810,and may use RFID technology. When the repeater 810 is further configuredwith a temperature sensor in its environmental/location module 1324,then the monitoring circuitry of the control module 1304 can beconfigured so that if the temperature of the room is outside of acertain range that control circuitry 1304 either modifies the circuitryof the repeater 810 to increase energy harvesting/repeating efficiency,halts energy harvesting/repeating, or sends a signal to a remotetransmitter 802. Accordingly, the repeater's temperature module 1324 andthe control module 1304 can modify the power harvesting operations ofthe power receiver module 1302, or remote power transmission from atransmitter 802, based upon the data provided by the temperature sensor1704 a of the environmental/location module 1324.

The repeaters 810 can have individual identification numbers provided byelectronics, RFID, or labeling disposed on the housing of a repeater(e.g., serial numbers). A display 1706 a of a repeater 810 can beconfigured to display information related to repeater ID information,related to the characteristics, serial number, or model of the repeater810. The display 1706 a can also show data related to wireless powerharvesting including current power level, recent statistics related topower harvesting. The display can also display other informationcalculated in the repeater modules or which may be sent by components ofthe wireless power system 800 and received by the repeater 810.

The display 1706 a can be an LED panel which may display at least onecolor of light in order to provide lighting, such as ambient roomlighting. The display 1706 a can also provide signaling by changingcolors during certain conditions such as turning green when power isbeing effectively harvested/repeated or flashing yellow if there is aproblem. The repeater 810 may have a sensor 1704 a or timer in itscontrol module 1304 in order to provide lighting via the display 1706 aonly at certain times, such as a light sensor for only emitting light atnight. The repeater display may also be configured to display a clocktime.

The control electronics of the control module 1304 can be adjusted by auser by means of the set of controls 1708 a. This may include includingmechanical switches (on/off switch), and “dimmer knobs” which cancontrol such aspects as lighting level, or which can provide for manualtuning of the circuitry associated with the resonator (e.g., adjustableresistors or capacitors).

A wireless power transfer system 800 may incorporate repeaters 810configured to exchange energy with one or more transmitter 802resonators, device 806 harvesting resonators, additional repeater 810resonators or other wireless system components. A repeater 810 may beused to extend the range of wireless power transfer. An oscillatingmagnetic field produced by a source magnetic resonator can causeelectrical currents in the conductor component (i.e. “resonator”,“coil”, or “secondary”) of the repeater 810. These electrical currentsmay create their own magnetic field as they oscillate in the resonatorthereby extending or tailoring the magnetic field area or “distribution”of the transmitted field.

A single repeater 810 or pairs of repeaters as shown in FIGS. 15-16 maybe used to tailor, distribute, concentrate, and enhance, the magneticfield generated by a source at the location of the repeater. A repeater810 may also be used to guide magnetic fields of a source resonatoraround lossy and/or metallic objects that might otherwise block orperturb, the magnetic field in an undesired manner. The PPC 1002 canassist in situating the repeaters 810 by modeling and then assessing theresulting fields of different candidate locations. A repeater 810 may beused to improve the coupling efficiency between a source and a targetresonator. For instance, repeaters can be used to improve the couplingbetween resonators with differing orientations (buy relaying a projectedfield onto a plane that is different from the original field), or whosedipole moments are not favorably aligned. A further example is a networkwhere a first resonator is in a null (k=0) of a second resonator, suchas two type-A resonators that are perpendicular to each other and withtheir centers aligned. At that position, there may be little or nocoupling between the resonators. A repeater, oriented at some anglerelative to both resonators, for example 45 degrees, positioned in thevicinity of the perpendicular pair, provides for energy to now becoupled because the repeater is not in either of the other resonators'null. Using N repeaters situated at angles of 90/N+1, may furtherimprove transmission.

In order to assist in aligning fields, repeaters may be mounted onstructures that allow their rotations in the x/y/z plane to occur as perFIGS. 20(a)-(e), and FIGS. 28-30. The structures or sets of repeatersmay use an electric motor to change the angle of the repeater, or therepeater coil, in response to commands communicated from a source 802,device 806, or other system component, or in response to data it senseswhen it automatically tests two or more orientations. When adjustingorientation in response to sensed data, the adjustment module 1318 mayoperate a protocol which activates an electric motor in order to changethe orientation of the repeater. As shown in FIG. 29(a), in oneembodiment, a resonator coil of a repeater can be reoriented by a motorin a resonator base 2900, and the angle which produces the best wirelesspower coupling may be selected, at least temporarily under control ofthe adjustment module 1318. Likewise, as shown in FIG. 29(b), a repeater2904, with a resonator coil 2906, can be attached to a wireless poweroutlet 1802 (which is described in detail below) through an adjustableresonator base 2908 similar to resonator base 2900. Future adjustmentcan be made based upon a schedule, where the orientation may bereassessed. Alternatively, there may be three resonator coils 2902 a,2902 b, 2902 c and one or more coils can be oriented at a particulartime, while the remaining coil or coils are static. This paradigm canexist for other components of the wireless network as well.Alternatively, if two repeaters reside within a small particular region,then the network may compare the energy at the two repeaters. If onerepeater is able to harvest and relay a field more efficiently then therepeater, or the network, may send a command either wirelessly or over acable, to the other repeater to detune it, in order to avoidinterference or shadow effects. FIG. 30 shows an embodiment of atop-view a repeater with two resonators 3000 a and 3000 b positionedapproximately orthogonal or perpendicular to each other may achieve abetter efficiency in wirelessly transferring power from a power supplywith source resonator 804 to a load with device resonator 808.

In embodiments, a repeater resonator may operate as a source for one ormore device 806 resonators. In embodiments, a device 806 resonator mayserve as a repeater if it simultaneously receives a magnetic field andrepeats a magnetic field, as may occur when the device 806 is not usingpower or needs only some of the power it is receiving. Accordingly, aparticular resonator of the system may alternate between operating as atransmitting (source) resonator, harvesting (device) resonator, orrepeater resonator. The alternation may be achieved through timemultiplexing, frequency multiplexing, self-tuning, time-sharing orthrough a control algorithm implemented by any of the components of thesystem 800. In embodiments, multiple repeaters 810 that are positionedin an area can be manually or programmably tuned in and out of resonanceto achieve a spatially varying magnetic field.

In embodiments, a local area of strong magnetic field may be created byan array of resonators, and the position of the strong field area may beadjusted by changing electrical components or operating characteristicsof the resonators in the array. For example, varying the impedance oroperating frequency of a set of resonators may allow for the creation ofso-called “hot spots” or regions of relatively high amplitudeoscillating magnetic fields. It may be useful to be able to change thelocation of these hot spots. When the network relies upon GPS orlocation sensing, then the hot spots may be adjusted to track a handhelddevice which receives the power. If a user places a lamp in a corner ofa room, the network may preferentially deliver power to the lamp bycreating a hot spot in that corner. At a later time, the user may movethe lamp next to a chair, or may turn on a different lamp that isalready next to the chair, and it may be preferable for the “hotspot” tofollow the user and/or the lamp to the “active” location. In thisexample, the lamp may send a signal to the network manager 900, a usermay use a network controller (such as software in their cellphone tocommunicates with a network manager 900) to change the hotspot, or thenetwork can be configured to sense the change automatically. Hotspotscan also be defined for quadrants of a room or otherwise implemented. Amaster network manager 900 may operate to tune capacitor networks,resonant frequencies, impedance networks and other network components toadjust the position and power level of the hotspot(s).

Repeater Maintenance

In some applications, changes of parameters related to the operatingpoint of a repeater may create a runaway effect that may negativelyimpact the performance of the wireless power transfer system. Forexample, power transfer and operation may heat components of theresonator, such as the capacitors, changing their effective capacitance.The change in capacitance may shift the resonant frequency of theresonator and may cause a drop in power transfer efficiency. The drop inpower transfer efficiency may in turn lead to increased heating ofcomponents causing further change in capacitance, causing a larger shiftin resonant frequency, and so on. The various components of the wirelesspower system 800 may be able to adjust to environmental changes, and tohalt operation and/or provide a visual, auditory, or other signal to auser, or even wirelessly transmit a text message or other digital alarmwhen the system malfunctions as described above.

In embodiments of a wireless power transfer system, components such ascapacitors may be used in various parts of the system. Electricalcomponents, such as capacitors, for example, may be used as part of theresonator and may set the resonant frequency of the resonator.Electrical components, such as capacitors, may be used in an impedancematching network between the power source and the resonator and in otherparts of the circuits as described herein. Changes in parameters of thecomponents due to temperature may affect characteristics of the wirelesspower transfer system such as the quality factor of the resonator,resonator frequency and impedance, system efficiency and power deliveryand the like.

In some embodiments the changes in parameter values of components may beat least partially compensated with active tuning circuits comprisingtunable components. Circuits which monitor the operating environment andoperating point of components and system may be integrated in thedesign. The monitoring circuits may include tunable components thatactively compensate for the changes in parameters. For example, atemperature reading may be used to calculate expected changes incapacitance of the system allowing compensation by switching in extracapacitors or tuning capacitors to maintain the desired capacitance. Insome embodiments, open loop control may be utilized. For example, aresonator may have stored a table of capacitance values that should beadded or subtracted from the resonator circuits to maintain certainperformance criteria as a function of temperature. In embodiments, atemperature sensor may sense the operating temperature of a resonatorand a processor may use the temperature reading to control theelectrical parameters of a resonator.

In some embodiments, the changes in parameters of components may becompensated with active cooling, heating, active environmentconditioning, and the like, and these components may be part of anenvironmental/location module 1324.

In embodiments, repeaters 810 may primarily function to relay thewireless power fields to adjacent components of a wireless power system800 from a transmitter 802 in order to extend the reach of thetransmitted magnetic field. In embodiments, it may be desirable to turnoff a repeater that is to effectively remove it from the wireless powertransmission path. In embodiments that comprise multiple repeaters 810,a subset of these repeaters may be turned off in order that the fieldtransmitted by the transmitter 802 is not distributed to unwantedlocations. In wireless power systems, potential power paths may bedeactivated and/or re-routing by turning repeaters along the path on andoff and or by detuning them. The amount of power carried by differentpaths may be adjusted by adjusting the resonant frequency of repeatersalong the various paths. In certain embodiments, it may be desirable toturn off adjacent repeaters to a repeater being calibrated in order toisolate the evaluation of a particular repeater. For these reasons andothers, it may be desirable to provide a repeater with an on-off switchas one of its controls 1708 a. Further, instead of an on-off switchcausing the input module 1316 to break a circuit of wireless harvestingmodule 1302, it may be beneficial to detune the resonant frequency ofthe resonator of the module 1302. In embodiments, a PPC 1002 can beconfigured with a calibration routine that can turn off and/or detune aset of X resonators in order to test a subset of Y resonators where Y is1 or more.

Repeater Subsets

When using a set of repeaters 810 to provide power to a room, there maybe reasons that a user may not want to activate all repeaters 810. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 9, repeaters 810 can be incorporated intofloor or rug “tiles”, and these tiles can exist across the entire spanof the room. In one embodiment, the entire set of tiles can serve as aset of repeaters, and within this set, there may be at least twosubsets. For this example, there is a device 800, such as a lamp in theleft corner of the room and this device 806 may be sufficiently distantfrom the transmitter 802 that it may not receive power directly from thewireless power source. In this example, a set of repeaters may bearranged so that a first subset of repeaters powers the left side of theroom and a second subset of repeaters powers the right side of the room.Under certain operating conditions, there may be no reason to activatethe second subset of repeaters in order to provide power to the lamp.Unless power is also needed in the right side of the room, the wirelesspower system 800 may be configured to simply direct power to the firstsubset of repeaters 810. The subsets of repeaters can define two or morezones of a room, and the zones may be selectively activated.

This network design may have several advantages. For example, providingpower to a subset of repeaters rather than an entire set can save power.This may be true for wireless energy transfer system with less than 100%efficiency. Secondly, there may be situations where a fluctuation in thefields of the first subset of repeaters causes fluctuations, detuning,field shaping, and the like in an adjacent second subset. Deactivatingzones that are not needed may provide for activated zone(s) that aremore stable and/or more efficient.

In embodiments where there may be multiple sources powering differentsubsets of repeaters, it may be desirable for the fields of the multiplerepeater subsets to interact. This could be desirable if there is alarge power drain on one of the resonator subsets. In that situation,enabling the fields of the multiple subsets to interact could allowadditional power to be directed at the device to be powered. In thiscase, for example, the excess energy of a first zone might serve as asource or an additional source for a second zone.

Subsets, or individual repeaters 810 of the subsets that define a zone,can be defined by having a user manually turn repeaters 810 on or offusing a manual switch on each repeater, or using a repeater accessory1710 or PPC 1002. Additionally, if the subsets can be programmablydefined, then in the case where one or more repeaters is not functioningcorrectly, the subsets can be dynamically redefined so that new clustersof repeaters are defined for each of one or more subsets.

In one embodiment, a series of four switches are provided on a wall, andthese may look like “light switches”. If a user switches any of the fourswitches to “on”, then a particular repeater subset may be activated bythe switch communicating with a repeater and/or a system manager 900and/or at least one corresponding transmitter 802, or other systemcomponent. For example, the “light switches” may be physically connectedto transmitters 802 which power each repeater subset or networkcomponents that turn subsets on and off using either physical orwireless signals. The “light switches” may communicate with a computerthat serves as a system manager 900 and which has been programmed toactivate or de-activate repeater subsets based upon the manual controlof a user. The wireless power management system 900 can be a dedicateddevice that can communicate with a computer and which may be pluggedinto a wall outlet and may send commands to various components of awireless power system. The “light switches” can also be similar to akeypad or touch sensitive display with a screen which allows user toadjust which subsets of repeaters or “zones” are “on” or “off” in aroom. An embodiment of this setup can be seen in FIG. 18, in which thewall control 1822 is configured in a hard coded, or programmable manner,to control the provision of power to selected devices, or zones in whichthe devices are located. Unlike a conventional light switch, the control1822 may be affixed to a wall and communicate power and data signalsentirely wirelessly, or the control may be wired. In some embodiments, afirst control can control power characteristics of a first zone and asecond control can control power characteristics of a second zone.

In one embodiment, the system for providing wireless power may comprisea wireless power transmitter 802 and a set of repeaters 810, and the setmay comprise at least two subsets of repeaters. Each subset may containat least one repeater 810 which may be configured to harvest and/orrelay energy from a transmitter 802 and which is further configured tobe turned on or off or to be detuned. In one example, turning off asubset of repeaters may cause power to be provided only to a portion ofa room rather than the entire room, such as would occur when each of thesubsets provides power to half a room. A transmitter 802 can beconfigured with an input module 1316 which allows a user to determinewhich of the repeater subsets is active or alternatively, the controllerof the transmitter 802 operates a software program in its control module1304 to determine which of the repeater subsets is active (as may occurbased upon a time or date schedule) Alternatively, the transmitter 802may select the repeater subset based upon a wireless request sent from aremote device 806.

The input module 1316 of the transmitter 802 can be configured in orderto allow a user, a device request, or a pre-defined program to redefinewhich of the repeaters is contained in each of two or more subsets. Thecontroller of the transmitter 1304 can automatically redefine which ofthe set of repeaters 810 is contained in each of two or more subsetsbased upon a remote signal sent by a device 806 which requests power andinformation contained in the controller 1304 such as the most efficientpath to provide power to the requesting device 806. Other data that thecontroller 1304 of the transmitter 802 or the controller 1304 of thewireless system manager 900 may use to define the repeater 810 subsetsare: signals sent from remote repeaters 810 or devices 806; calibrationdate; data related to temperature; historical data related to usagepatterns of wireless power within the room; instructions implemented bya computer program; a remote signal having information related to thelocation of a device that may require wireless power.

Repeater Set Protocols

The wireless power system 800 may have a transmitter 802 that may beconfigured to transmit wireless power using at least one wireless powertransmission protocol, a target device 806 having a receiver 806configured to receive wireless power, and a first repeater subset andsecond repeater subset. Each repeater subset can comprise a repeater 810configured to relay power and to be controlled by at least one componentof the wireless energy transfer network 800, such as the transmitter 802and the receiver 806, in order to realize a repeater set protocol. Therepeater set protocol can also be set and realized by a wireless systemmanager 900.

When the repeater set protocol is implemented by at least thetransmitter 802 and repeaters 810, then it can be defined as part of thepower transmission protocol implemented by the transmitters controlmodule 1304, and therefore the protocol may be provided under thecontrol of the transmitter 802. Alternatively, the repeater set protocolcan be controlled by a target device 806 which interacts directly withthe repeaters 810 or indirectly via communication which may be sent toat least one wireless power transmitter 802 which controls the repeaters810. Such communication can encompass commands related to turningrepeaters on or off, or can contain information related to, for example,power usage, location, or other aspects of at least one device 806. Therepeater set protocol may also be derived using stored information thetransmitter memory module 1312 has about where devices are located in aroom, pre-defined hotspots, or may be adjusted using locationinformation which is dynamically sent by target devices 806, or sensedby the network, about the location of devices in the room.

The repeater set protocol can define which repeaters 810 are activated,deactivated (e.g., detuned) and can also determine what paths energytakes when moving from a transmitter 802 to a target device 806. Therepeater set protocol can also change the resonant frequency that therepeater set is tuned to. For example, one repeater set can be tuned toa first resonant frequency and a second repeater set can be tuned to asecond resonant frequency in order to increase the independence of thetwo repeater subsets. This may also decrease the propensity for the tworepeater subsets from interacting. In that manner, the two repeatersubsets can be differentially activated and/or provide power withdifferent characteristics.

The repeater set protocol can be one protocol that is selected from aset of stored repeater subset protocols in the memory module 1312 of asystem component. The different protocols may be activated in responseto different conditions. For example, the repeater set protocol may beone protocol selected from a set of repeater protocols, said selectionbeing accomplished as a function of time of day or as a function of theresults of a calibration routine, whereby more efficient protocol isselected. Such a calibration routine may be accomplished only whensetting up the system, or may occur periodically as part of a schedule,or in response to certain events. A calibration routine may beaccomplished responsively to a communication signal received due to achange in power being received by a target device. This can be caused bysome type of interference of an intervening structure that has enteredthe room since the last calibration session occurred. The repeater setprotocol may contain a default protocol and at least one alternativeprotocol which may be implemented if the default protocol does not meeta network criterion, such as successfully providing a sufficient amountof power to device 806.

Adjustable and Extendable Resonators and Repeaters

FIG. 25 shows that system components such as repeaters can be configuredin order to accept “resonator replacement modules” 2512, also known as“resonator cells”, so that network components can be adjusted to carrydifferent loads or implement different wireless power protocols.Resonator replacement modules 2512 may be cost effective and efficientbecause these modules may be exchanged within system components in orderto change the resonator characteristics while maintaining much, if notall, the other circuitry of the system component. FIG. 25 shows arepeater that is able to accept a plug-in resonator coil in the form ofa resonator cell 2512. This modular replacement can also be accomplishedfor other modules of system components such as the capacitor-cells 2514also shown in FIG. 25. In addition to the resonator cells beingreplaceable, they may also be extendable, using a daisy-chain approachas shown in FIGS. 20(a)-20(e). In the same manner that a laptop can beconfigured with a regular battery or a long-length battery (which mayprotrude from the laptop casing), system components can have resonatorcells that extend beyond the housing of the components and which mayhave connections that allow for connection between multiple resonatorcells 2512. Such daisy chaining of resonator cells and/or components maybe accomplished when components are configured in order to be attachedor connected to each as will now be disclosed.

FIGS. 20(a)-20(e) show repeaters 810 can be configured with connectorsso that they (and their corresponding resonator cells 2512) may bedaisy-chained. Wireless system components may be physically connectedelectrically in various serial or parallel configurations. Connectorsbetween components can contain circuitry, sections of coil, and othercomponents for allowing the daisy-chained components to function in anintended manner. In FIGS. 20(a)-20(e), “field blocks” are used. Fieldblocks may be used to house resonator cells 2512 or repeaters 810 andmay be the same shape as normal repeater 810, but are configured forconnecting to other field blocks. When resonators cells 2512 orrepeaters are configured with housings having multiple ports andfasteners that allow them to be daisy chained, then the use of fieldblocks may not be needed. However, for purposes of illustration, thefollowing embodiments will rely upon the use of field blocks.

In FIG. 20(a), a set of 4 field blocks 2000 are shown in an elongatedarrangement and are electrically connected by field block connectors2002, which may contain electrical connections for connecting sequentialfield blocks in a serial or parallel manner. The top field block 2000 isshown housing a repeater 810 and this can be the case in all the otherfield blocks as well (not shown). A field block terminator 2004 mayallow the field-block structure to be connected to a device such as atransmitter 802 or other component of a wireless network. Accordingly,the field block structure may serve as a set of resonators and/orresonator components that can greatly increase transmission orreception. The field blocks and field block connectors can be connectedwith physical connectors which simply provide physical and/or electricalconnection or may also be provided with capacitive components such asthose embodied in the port connectors shown in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32.

FIG. 20(b) shows field blocks configured for connection at middleregions 2008, or configured for connection at each end 2006. The fieldblocks 2006 and 2008 may be electrically and/or physically connected byconnectors 2002.

FIG. 20(c) shows hexagonal field blocks 2010 connected to each other byconnectors 2002, and a circular connector block 2012 that allowsrotation of the connector blocks around the circumference of the fieldblock housing in order to adjust the angle between its two connectorblocks 2012.

FIGS. 20(d) and 20(e) are alternative embodiments of field blockstructures.

When repeaters 810 are configured with more than one connection port,the repeaters can be arranged and daisy chained using connectors 2002.The typical field block therefore may have at least two ports so that itcan be connected to at least one device using its first port and oneother field block using its second port. Further, the resonators withineach repeater may be electrically connected to create a larger resonatorstructure.

Instead of increasing the transmission or reception structure throughdaisy chaining accomplished with ports, the resonators in the system 800may be configured to be adjustable. For example, the wireless powersystem 800 can use at least one resonator coil that is configured toenable the circumference of a resonator coil to expand and contract.FIG. 21(a) shows a resonator tube 2100 with a proximal portion 2102 aand distal portion 2102 b having two different circumferences. In orderto create a coil loop, the proximal portion 2102 a is slid through thedistal portion 2102 b. A loop of a particular circumference may beformed by sliding the first portion 2102 a of the coil through thesecond portion 2102 b until the desired circumference is obtained. FIG.21(b) illustrates resonator tube 2100 of FIG. 21(a) configured into asmaller loop or a larger loop. Friction may be relied upon to cause theresulting loop to maintain its circumference, or alternatively, variousfasteners may be incorporated in order to preserve a selected shape (notshown).

The capacitor and other circuitry which communicates with the resonatortube 2102 a, 2102 b may be adjustable, or programmable, and can becontained in a resonator base 2104 a. Resonator bases 2104 a, 2104 b maybe configured to be plugged into a resonator coil on one side, and theother side may connect with other components of the wireless powersystem such as a transmitter 802, or harvester 806, or wand 1114 of aPPC 1002. Resonator bases 2104 a may contain an adjustment module 1318in order to work with particular resonator coils. Additionally,resonator bases may be configured to automatically adjust to differentresonator coils so that the user may experience plug-and-playfunctionality. The connectors used by the resonator bases may be adaptedto engage only with certain types of connectors 2103 of the resonatorcoil.

FIG. 21(c) shows two resonator modules 2108 a, 2108 b containingresonator coils 2106 a and 2106 b which are of fixed circumference andwhich contain resonator bases 2104 b and 2104 c. The resonator bases2104 b, 2104 c allow the coils to be plugged into system components.This may occur without adjustment being needed. For example, since thecoil 2106 a is smaller than 2106 b, the resonator bases 2104 b, 2104 cwill have appropriate capacitance circuitry so that either resonatorcoil 2106 a, 2106 b can be plugged into a system component without muchadjustment making them approximately plug-and-play.

In alternative embodiments, the wireless power system and user of thesystem may change the size, shape, or length of the resonators orotherwise adjust the physical dimensions of the resonators. One manneris by utilizing resonators that are interchangeable with otherresonators selected from a set of compatible resonators. FIG. 21(c) isan illustrative example of this principle and shows two resonators withcircumferences of different sizes which are further configured withresonator bases 2104 b, 2104 c, which may have circuitry for allowingdevices to be connected. The resonator bases 2104 b, 2104 c may beprovided with impedance or capacitance circuitry that is appropriate fortheir respective resonator's characteristics. Accordingly, the differentresonators of a set of resonators related to a compatible resonatorclass may be plugged into various devices without additional adjustmentby a user. A set of resonators may include at least two resonators andeach resonator can comprise a resonator coil and a resonator base(adapter) which may be configured to attach to a device and to alsoelectrically connect the resonator coil to the wireless energyharvesting circuitry of the device. Each of the resonators may also beconfigured with a resonator base that may be configured to engage thewireless energy transmitting circuitry of a source. The resonator basescan also contain adjustable components which may be manually adjusted,such as at least one switch that can be toggled to set the impedance atdifferent values. Impedance adjustment can also operate automatically bya circuit of the resonator base, or this can be programmably adjusted,for example by a PPC.

In the case where resonator coils may be changed, re-arranged, orextended (e.g. via daisy chaining), then the circuitry which connect tothese coils may be adjustable to compensate for changes related to theadjustments made to the coils. FIG. 22 shows a resonator coil configuredwith multiple loops 2200 configured for serial daisy-chaining to createan extended helix. The loops may be connected in series or in parallelor in some combination of series and parallel, and the input and outputconnections to the ensemble may be attached to a resonator base. Themultiple loops can be connected with physical connectors which simplyprovide physical and electrical connection or may also be provided withcapacitive components such as are embodied in the port connectors shownin FIG. 31 and FIG. 32.

FIG. 23(a) shows an alternative embodiment of a resonator 2300 aconfigured to enable one coil with a larger circumference to bereconfigured as multiple smaller coils 2300 b, as seen in FIG. 23(b).The resonator coil base 2302 may have electronics which allowcapacitance and other characteristics of the circuit to functionproperly both when the resonator coil is in the “folded” arrangementshown in FIG. 23(b) and the “expanded” arrangement shown in FIG. 23(a).

FIG. 24 shows an exemplary telescopic resonator coil accessory 2400. Theresonator coils can be configured as a harvesting device which may be atelescopic resonator coil accessory 2400 having an expandable housing2402 a, 2402 b and a manual control 2404 which allows a user to adjustcircuitry related to harvesting, such as a variable capacitor. Theexpandable housing can also contain power circuitry 1326 that maycommunicate with a connector port 2408 that allows for a wiredconnection 2410 for connecting to a device 806 such as a cellphone 2406,and providing that device with power. If the cellphone 2406 isconfigured for wireless power reception then the telescopic resonatorcoil accessory 2400 may also be configured to operate as a type ofwireless repeater.

Wireless System Component Class Types

A first system class of wireless power 800 can comprise a wireless powertransmitter 802 which has a single resonator 804 which may be configuredto work with a first class of system components. A second system classcan also comprise a wireless power transmitter 802 which has a singleresonator 804 which may be configured to work with a second class typeof system components. Alternatively, a transmitter 802 can be configuredto work with either the first or second class of resonator (and eitherresonator can be plugged into the transmitter 802) and either the firstor second class of system components. In other words, a transmitter 802may be designed to operate in conjunction with a first class of systemcomponents, which are configured to operate in a first operatingenvironment, or a second class of system components, which areconfigured to operate in a second operating environment. In thisembodiment, the first and second operating environments may besufficiently different that the first class of system components would,when operated in the second environment, produce a network error. Anetwork error can be, for example, a system in which some of thecomponents operate below a network efficiency criterion (e.g., powertransmission is below some threshold amount such as the networkoperating at 80% of the expected efficiency). Another example of anetwork error would occur if a power system component of a first classwould have an increased risk of becoming damaged, or the occurrence ofactual damage.

FIG. 25 shows two classes of power system components, which in thisexample are repeaters 810, for use in a wireless power system 6. The tworows are representative of first and second class system components. Thetop row shows three Class A repeaters, of Type A1 (2500), A2 (2502), andA3 (2504). The bottom row shows three class B repeaters of Types B1(2506), B2 (2508), and B3 (2510). In this example, Class A repeaters aredesigned to be used indoors (with the corresponding temperature ranges),while Class B repeaters are designed to be used outdoors, (withcorresponding temperature ranges, environmental conditions, and thelike). These exemplary embodiments are given to illustrate the idea ofclasses but not to limit how the classes might be implemented in anyway. For example, Class C repeaters may be a subset of Class B repeatersand may be designed to be used outdoors in the summer. Other systemclasses can relate characteristics of the power system such as powerlevel, operating frequency range, dipole moment orientation, unshieldedand shielded, incorporation of magnetic material, weatherproofed,submersible, configured to be used in medical environments, configuredto be used in surgical environments, configured to be used in highermagnetic field environments, configured to be used in highly lossyenvironments, and the like.

Continuing with the exemplary embodiment of repeater classes illustratedin FIG. 25, in addition to Class A or B, the components shown in FIG.25, have further have subclass designations. In this embodiment, thenumeric designation (of 1, 2, or 3) reflects how close the neighboringrepeaters should be for example. That is, since Class A, Type 1repeaters 2500 are larger than Class A, Type 3 repeaters 2504, Class A1may work best as long as adjacent components are within a certaindistance, say D1, of the Class A1 repeater. Class A3 repeaters on theother hand, may work best when adjacent components are within distanceD3, where D3<D1. Alternatively, or in addition to this type ofdesignation, there can be additional types such as Class A1-1-1, wherethe final value is a class, for example, relating to the range of powerthat is to be relayed by the system. In this manner, components of awireless power system can be created to work as intended with othersystem components of the same class. In embodiments, the classificationof repeaters and other elements in a wireless power system may make itsimpler to order, design, deploy, maintain, and the like wireless powernetworks. For example, the classification of repeaters may easilyidentify mismatched components in systems. In some cases, mismatchedcomponents may not work well together, such as if the wireless repeatersare tuned to substantially different operating frequencies. In otherembodiments, mismatched components may increase the cost of wirelesspower systems such as if a repeater class intended to relay largecurrent loads were deployed in a system intended to provide a slowtrickle-like charge to a consumer electronic device, such as a cellphone for example.

A system 800 class may be designed to be used indoors and be highlyefficient within a selected temperature range that does not vary by morethan, for example, +/−20 degrees C. In this case, the design goal may beto provide sufficient efficiency operation within a limited temperaturerange. A second class of system components can be configured to be usedoutdoors, where the temperature range across a season is larger thanthat which occurs indoors. In this case, the goal may be reliablyproviding power across a larger range of temperatures, with efficiencyas a secondary consideration. In order to improve the performance of theoutdoor system, there can be two outdoor system classes, one for thesummer and one for the winter, and each class may be designed to operatewithin an associated range.

In one embodiment, the user can replace the summer and wintercomponents. In another embodiment both the summer and winter componentscan remain in position and the components which are not used may bedetuned either by the system or manually in order to functionally removetheir influence upon the wireless power network. In a third embodiment,the system components may have modules (e.g. resonators) that aredesigned to work in the summer or the winter, and the modules may beactivated according to a network protocol. In this case, a systemcomponent may belong to more than one class or subclass.

Different power system component classes can be intended to be used indifferent countries or regions. For example, a first class can be usedin the USA and a second class can be used in England, whereby thecomponents within the USA Class or England Class are optimized tooperate in those two regions (taking into account considerations such asmains frequency, 110 or 220 voltage, and differences in regulatoryrequirements for EMC, EMI and human exposure, etc.). Classes thereby mayimprove interaction between the wireless network and wired powernetworks by accounting for the characteristics of wired power used inthat region.

A selected power system component may be configurable to operate as morethan one class. For example, system components can have replaceablemodules and modules can be replaced to allow system components of oneclass to function with a different class. A repeater may have areplaceable resonator module 2512 that can be attached to the repeaterwhich will configure the repeater to operate as part of a particularclass. In an exemplary embodiment, a system component that is configuredto operate with other class A system components can be modified to workwith Class B components by replacing a capacitor module 2514, resonatormodule 2512 (i.e. a modular replaceable coil), or other module of thecomponent, for example.

In another example, if the first class of system is configured tooperate between 1 and 5 Watts, and a second class of system isconfigured to operate between 1 and 10 Watts, then replacing a module ofa wireless system component may allow it to function in the other class.Similarly, if a Class 1 system is configured to operate between 5 and 10Volts, and Class 2 system is configured to operate between 10 and 12Volts, then replacing a module of a Class 1 component of the wirelessenergy transfer system 800 may allow it to function as a Class 2component.

The classes can relate to power levels such as High, Medium, and Lowpower. In one example, High power repeaters may be rated from 1000 to100,000 Watts and may contain resonators comprising capacitors rated for1 kV, 5 kV, 10 kV and/or 100 kV for example. Medium power repeaters maybe rated from 100 to 1000 Watts, and may contain resonators comprisingcapacitors rated for voltages between 100V and 5 kV, for example. In oneembodiment, related to classes defined for temperature ranges, it mightbe specified that for temperature ranges from 0 degrees C. to 40 degreesC., a resonator may require a tunable capacitance range of 10-500 pfwhen the operating frequency is in the MHz range, and up to 10 of ormore, when the operating frequency is the kHz range, in order tomaintain the resonant frequency to within a specified range. The rangeof tunable capacitance needed to keep a resonator within a specifiedrange of resonant frequencies and input/output impedances will depend onthe application, the operating frequency, the amount of inductance ofthe inductive elements of the resonator, the tolerable ranges, and thelike. It should be understood that the example ranges and values givenhere are not intended to be limiting in any way. A second class ofrepeaters may tolerate a larger variance in the center frequency and somay include a smaller tunable capacitor range for the same temperaturerange for example. The classes described here can be analogous tospecified tolerances on electrical parts. For example, Class Acapacitors may be specified to have a stated capacitance value ±10% andmay be less expensive that Class B capacitors that have a statedcapacitance value ±5%. A user might expect a Class B capacitor to bemore expensive and may be willing to pay more money if their applicationdemanded the tighter tolerance. In wireless power networks, users mayunderstand that resonators designed to carry higher power may be largerand potentially more expensive than resonators designed to carry lowerpower. In embodiments, either through simple design rules and/or throughthe use of the various user test and deployment modules such as the PPCdescribed herein, users may choose wireless power transmitters,receivers and repeaters based on their classes to achieve certainwireless power transmission system goals.

Additional examples of classes can include different sized conductors,capacitors rated for different voltages, current and/or power levels.Different classes of power system components may be required to berealized within housing that meets certain criterion, which is made ofcertain material, or which passes certain tests. Different classes mayinclude manually tunable, electronically tunable, remotely tunable orfixed components. Addition classes may specify whether the resonatorsrequire authentication and/or passwords for control. We envision thatclasses of resonators may capture any and all of the designs, designtrade-offs, design choices, and the like, described within this and theincorporated references.

Components related to a particular class may be required to adhere tolabeling and signaling requirements and guidelines.

Wireless Power Outlet Accessory

The following section describes embodiments of a wireless power outlet.Wireless power outlets may be useful in implementing wireless power neardevices, appliances, or other electronics that may still require a wireor cord to draw power. Discussion on wireless power outlets, circuitbreakers, and other concepts are described in commonly owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/267,796 published on Apr. 19, 2012 as U.S.publication 2012/0091820A1 and entitled, “Wireless power transfer withina circuit breaker”.

FIG. 18 shows that wireless power may be transmitted to a devicedirectly from a source 802, after being relayed by a repeater 810, ormay be provided in a wired manner after being harvested and transformedto wired power by a wireless power outlet 1802. The wireless poweroutlet 1802 can have a power receiver module 1302 comprising a resonatorconfigured for harvesting wireless energy and an input/output (I/O)module 1316 which may comprise circuitry for providing power to sockets1804 a, 1804 b. Additionally, I/O module 1316 may include a simpleswitch that may allow a user to manually turn the wireless power outlet1802 on and off. The power receiver module 1302 may work with aresonator that is located within the housing of the wireless poweroutlet, or there may be a port in the housing of the wireless poweroutlet 1802 which allows a resonator to be connected to the powerreceiver module 1302. There may also be provided a power module 1326with power converters, regulator, and circuit-breaker circuitry. Thewireless power outlet 1802 may also be configured with a groundconnector 1812 to interface with a ground connector link 1814, which canbe attached to a ground source such as a water pipe 1816 to provide aground or “earth connection” for a device which may be powered.Additionally, the wireless power outlet 1802 may have an on/off switchin order to deactivate the sockets 1804 a, 1804 b. There may also beprovided visual display elements that visually signal to a user whethera wireless power outlet 1802 is supplying power to either or both of thesockets 1804 a, 1804 b. The visual display may be part of a displaymodule 1306 which may show information about operation, such asindicating when power has been halted due to an electrical malfunction(of either the outlet 1802 or the device 806), and can also simply showif wired or wireless power is “on” or “off”. In order to provide for awireless power system 800 in which a wireless power outlet 1802 (and adevice powered by the outlet) is turned on and off, the wireless poweroutlet 1802 may be provided with communication circuitry 1308 a forcommunicating with a system component such as a transmitter 802 or awall control unit 1822. A wireless power outlet 1802 may be furtherconfigured to provide power wirelessly by serving as a repeater.

The wireless power outlet 1802 may offer a power for devices and/orappliances that may not yet be configured to receive power wirelessly.Accordingly, rather than purchasing new wirelessly powered devices for akitchen, a consumer may purchase a wireless power outlet 1802 and placeit adjacent to devices which are to be powered using a conventionalpower cord. In this manner, the wireless power system 800 can providepower to conventional devices without a need for adapting the devices toreceive wireless power or requiring a consumer to purchase newappliances. The wireless power outlet 1802 can provide the advantagethat normal appliances do not have to be modified in order to receivewireless power but rather the outlet accessory can be placed on tables,floors, or other locations around a room where conventional appliancesare located and these can be plugged into the outlet accessory.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of a wirelessly powered device 806 which isa blender. A device 806 can be configured with a wireless power receivermodule 1302 which can harness energy from a wireless power source suchas a repeater 810 or transmitter 802. For example, the device 806 can beplaced on top of a wireless power source 810 which is located on, or in,a table 1800.

The device 806 can be configured with a power module base 1808 whichallows the device to be powered by either a wireless power means orwired means. The device power module base 1808 may be provided with apower cord 1806 (and circuitry for using wired power) which terminateswith a conventional A/C plug. Whether the power is derived throughwireless or wired means may be controlled by a switch 1810 provided inthe device's power module base 1808. The switch 1810 may be manuallyadjusted or automatically adjusted by circuitry of the power module base1808.

Because a device 806 may experience an electrical malfunction, it may beimportant to provide methods for halting the provision of power suppliedto a device 806 from a wireless power outlet 1802 or other wirelesspower source 802. Alternatively, the device 806 may halt the receptionof power. Halting power transmission or reception may be essential inorder to prevent damage to the device 806 circuitry or to a user.

In a conventional wired configuration, a fuse or circuit breaker canserve to halt the provision of electricity to a device or the receptionof electricity by the device. The fuse or circuit breaker can be locatedeither in the device or, for example, in the fuse box of the electricalsystem of a house. In a wireless embodiment, this may not be the case.Problems may arise if a wireless transmitter continues to provide powerto a device which normally would cause a circuit breaker to open withpower provided using wired means. Accordingly, there may be methods forallowing a wireless power outlet 1802 or a wireless transmitter 802which is transmitting power to the wireless power outlet 1802, or to adevice 806, to halt power in a manner that is similar to that whichoccurs when blowing a fuse or “tripping” a circuit breaker.

The wireless power outlet 1802 can be configured with a power module1326 that has a fuse or a circuit breaker that may protect the device806 if there is an electrical malfunction in the device 806 or in thewireless power outlet 1802 itself. The wireless power outlet 1802 may beprovided with an access area 1818 for a user to replace a fuse or reseta circuit breaker. Further, the device 806 which is powered either bywired means or wirelessly from the accessory 1802 may also have a fuseor a circuit breaker 1820 or other circuit configured to halt thereception of power. For example, a circuit in the power receiver module1302 may, upon detection of an error condition, detune the resonator ofthe device 806 so that it stops receiving wireless power.

In a further embodiment, a circuit in the device 806 that responds tothe electrical malfunction may also use its communication module 1308 cto communicate a signal to the wireless power outlet 1802 which, inturn, may cause a fuse/circuit breaker/de-tuner in the power module1326, or other module, to halt provision of either wired or wirelesspower or both.

A wall control unit 1822 may be configured with a transmitter module1314 or may send signals over a wired connection to a transmitter sothat it can directly control wireless power transmission to networkcomponents. Alternatively, wall control unit 1822 may be configured witha communication module 1308 b that may send (and receive) wirelesscommand signals to network components such as a wireless power outlet1802. Communication module 1308 b may also be designed to communicatewith devices, repeaters 810, and/or remote transmitters 802 and othernetwork components in order to turn these on or off, or adjust theamount of power that is being supplied. The power that is supplied todifferent devices or power zones may be controlled by knobs 1824 on thewall control unit 1822. In other words, the wall control unit 1822 maybe configured with a module 1308 b for sending and receiving wirelesscommands related to the on/off state of, or power levels supplied to,wireless system components. In embodiments, a wall control unit 1822 mayhave functionally akin to a traditional “light switch” or “light dimmerswitch”.

In exemplary embodiments, the wall control unit 1822 knob 1824 can havean ‘on’ and ‘off’-position which may cause the control 1822 to sendcommands to a set of one or more wireless system components to togglethe “on” or “off” state, or may be configured with a touch sensitivescreen 1826 for providing additional control functionality and displayof information to a user. Individual system components can beprogrammably linked to a particular wall control unit 1822 in a mannerwhich may be determined and customized in a number of ways such as byusing a PPC 1002 or wireless system manager 900. The wall control unit1822 may also serve as a physical switch which can open or close acircuit which provides both wired and wireless power (either directly orby controlling a transmitter 802) to a device or zone. Accordingly, if adimmer switch of the wall control unit 1822 is turned counter clockwiseby a user, a wirelessly powered light may become dimmer, in a number ofwireless manners including: a) sending a wireless signal to a lightingdevice which will then decrease the amount of electricity sent to abulb, CFL, LED and the like; b) sending a wireless signal to theharvesting circuit of a device in order to cause it to harvest orotherwise provide less power (and this can be accomplished by detuningthe resonator in one embodiment); c) sending a wireless signal to atransmitter which transmits power to the lamp device; d) sending awireless signal to at least one repeater in the path between atransmitter and the lamp device; e) sending a wireless signal to controla zone which supplies wireless power to the lamp device; or f) sending awireless signal to a system management device 900.

When the wall control unit 1822 is configured to communicate by radio,WiFi, or other wireless signals that are related to values of a dimmercontrol, then these commands may serve to increase or decrease theamount of power that is being transmitted or received by components ofthe wireless power system. For example, adjusting the dimmer switch maycause wireless communication between the control 1822 and devices in theroom such as a lamp. Accordingly, rotation of the dimmer control willcause the lamp to emit a greater or lesser amount of light.

Returning to FIG. 18, the wireless power outlet 1802 can communicatewith the communication module 1308 of a device 806 that has a powermodule 1326 with a wireless power circuit breaker which can haltelectrical power from being supplied to the other modules of the device806. The circuit breaker can open a circuit and/or can operate to detunethe resonator of the device in order to halt electrical power from beingsupplied to the device 806. The wireless power circuit breaker may alsoprovide a signal, wirelessly, visually, sonically, or otherwise toindicate that it has been “tripped”.

As shown in FIG. 18, in one embodiment of a wireless power outlet 1802,a resonator coil 2006 b can be reoriented by a motor of a resonator base2004 c, and the angle which produces the best wireless power couplingmay be selected, at least temporarily under control of the adjustmentmodule 1318. Alternatively, the resonator base 2004 c can be rotatedunder control of a user. The resonator 2004 c base may have additionalmodules such as a sensing module that is configured with motion orposition sensors in order to halt power harvesting if the wireless poweroutlet 1802 falls on its side.

FIG. 19 shows, an embodiment of a set of a wireless power outlets 1802.A resonator within the housing element 1900 a, 1900 b can be oriented bya motor of a resonator base 1904 a, and the angle which produces thebest wireless power coupling may be selected, at least temporarily undercontrol of the adjustment module 1318. Alternatively, the resonator base1904 a can be rotated under control of a user, either manually or usingwireless communication and control signals. The resonator base 1904 a orhousing may also have at least one port for daisy chaining one or morecomponents of the wireless power outlets 1802 using a cord 1806 whichmay be configured with plugs and/or connectors on each of its ends. Thismay occur using a port connector which allows combining resonator coilsas is shown in FIG. 26. By daisy chaining the wireless power outlets,the power harvested at each wireless power outlet may be combined andprovided to a single socket. FIG. 19 shows a set of four wireless poweroutlets which may be configured to reside outdoors on an outdoor deck,for example. FIG. 19 also shows that the housing 1900 a, 1900 b may becompartmentalized. Accordingly, an upper housing 1900 a may contain afirst resonator and be rotatable using an upper resonator base 1904 band housing 1900 b may contain a second resonator that is rotatableusing a lower resonator base 1904 a. The first and second housingsegments may be rotated independently so that the wireless power outletmay receive power from resonators oriented in different directions. Thismay be useful, for example, to harvest energy corresponding to twodifferent transmitters situated in different locations. In addition toproviding power, the wireless power outlet 1802 may include additionalaccessories, such as lighting, speakers 1902, and electronics configuredto work with remotely located stereo equipment.

Wired Resonators

Two or more repeaters can be paired or connected to operate jointly orto have additional function. Paired or connected repeaters can becombined to serve to redirect a magnetic field, enhance power transferefficiency, mitigate performance impairments in lossy environments,decrease the need for multiple repeaters to be used to span a largedistance, provide for increasingly customizable configurations ofnetwork components, provide for daisy-chaining components to achievevarious power transfer reception or transmission goals, and the like. Inan embodiment shown in FIG. 26(a), a wireless power system 2602comprises at least a first 2608 a and second 2608 b repeater, eachhaving a resonator and at least a first connector port. Connector ports2606 a, 2606 b are configured to allow signals to be communicatedthrough a port connector 2612 and between the first and second repeater.The port connector 2612 may be configured so that at least oneelectrical contact of the first connector port 2606 a can beelectrically connected to at least one contact of the second connectorport 2606 b. In one embodiment, the port connector 2612 may be realizedas a cable with a proximal end plug which connects to the firstconnector port 2606 a and a distal end plug which connects to the secondconnector port 2606 b. The port connector 2612 may be configured forcommunicating a signal between at least one contact of the firstconnector port and a contact of the second connector port.

Each repeater may be configured with circuitry and modules as shown inFIG. 13. A communication module 1308 may provide for routing electricalsignals communicated by the connector ports to at least one intendedmodule of the repeater.

The electrical signals that are sent between the two repeaters 2608 a,2608 b may be communication, control, and/or power signals. When theseare power signals, they may be electrical signals which are derived fromthe wireless power signals that are received by the at least first orsecond repeater. The port connector 2612 may be realized as a cablewhich connects the two repeaters. Alternatively, the port connector 2612may comprise elongated resonator structures, realized as a connectionthat extends between the two repeaters, which serves to connect the tworesonators of the first and second repeaters in order achieve variousadvantages. For example, the first repeater 2608 a can serve to harvestwireless power and can relay the power signal to the second repeater2608 b using a port connector 2612 in order to relay power along anintended path. Further, the first repeater can receive a wireless powersignal, which it sends, through a port connector 2612, to power a source802 (rather than a second repeater). The source can then re-transmit awireless power field. Additionally, the first repeater can harvest awireless power signal and can send the power to a device 806 connectedto the other end of the port connector 2612. Such configurations ofconnected repeaters or resonators may be advantageous for transmitting awireless power signal around a corner in the presence of a lossy and/ormaterials and/or objects, or over larger distances, with minimized lossof field strength (as shown in FIG. 26(b)). For example, walls or parts2610 of a room may be constructed with lossy materials such as metallicbars, nails, panels, and the like. These lossy materials may decreasethe Q of a resonator and therefore decrease power transfer efficiency.

For electromagnetic resonators, extrinsic loss mechanisms that perturbthe intrinsic Q may include absorption losses inside the materials ofnearby extraneous objects and radiation losses related to scattering ofthe resonant fields from nearby extraneous objects. Absorption lossesmay be associated with materials that, over the frequency range ofinterest, have non-zero, but finite, conductivity, σ, (or equivalently anon-zero and finite imaginary part of the dielectric permittivity), suchthat electromagnetic fields can penetrate it and induce currents in it,which then dissipate energy through resistive losses. An object may bedescribed as lossy if it at least partly includes lossy materials.

Additionally, rather than using multiple repeaters which are spacedrelatively closely for wireless power transfer, wired resonators may belocated at greater distances and achieve a power transfer efficiencythat may have been otherwise difficult to attain, while still providingwireless power to devices that are not wired to the repeaters.Therefore, hybrid wireless/wired systems or networks may provideadvantages of both cost and performance.

A port connector 2612 may be able to communicate signals across theports of the repeaters 2606 a, 2606 b and can allow intended modules ofthe first repeater and second repeater to work together. The modules mayinclude resonators which are connected by the port connector 2612. Theconnection allows the resonators of the two repeaters to be electricallyconnected. When at least N electrical contacts are provided in each port2606 a, 2606 b then each of the N electrical contacts can potentiallyallow an additional repeater to be connected. Additionally, multipleports or port connectors can be used to connect a repeater to more thanone other repeater. Although the port connections allow for daisychaining of various modules within the repeaters, the connectors mayalso be configured so that the repeaters may be connected to at leastone device 806 as well.

Accordingly, connector port 2606 a, 2606 b can be configured forconnection to one or more devices, to other repeaters, or to one or moresources. Furthermore, the port connector 2612 can be configured toconnect the electrical connectors in serial or in parallel. Theconnector ports 2606 a, 2606 b, and associated modules of the repeaters,may be manually or programmably configured to interact with otherrepeaters in either a serial or parallel fashion.

Further, as is shown in FIG. 26, a repeater 2608 a may be configured tooperate using a wall mount 2600 having attachment members 2604 thatrotatably attach to the repeater 2608 a in order to allow the repeaterto be rotated with respect to at least one axis. In some embodiments,the rotation of a repeater may be controlled by motors, provided uponthe wall mount 2600, that are under the control of, for example, a powersource 802 and powered by energy harvested by the repeater. In otherembodiments, the rotation may be manually adjusted and the repeater maysimply remain in a particular position after an adjustment.

At least one wall mount 2600 and at least one connector may be utilizedin order to allow two repeaters 2606 a, 2606 b to relay, harvest, andtransmit power in a manner that does not cause their fields to influenceeach other, or decreases unwanted field interaction. In embodiments, tworepeaters may operate by allowing a wireless power field to hop betweenrepeaters. However, when repeaters are aligned in certain manners, theymay not share power fields in a favorable manner. One repeater mayproduce unwanted interference with respect to the field generated by theother repeater. In these cases, the repeaters can be connected by wiredmeans and positioned so that the fields do not interact in an unwantedmanner and so that transmission and relay of energy is extended over alonger distance and/or over serpentine paths.

A hybrid repeater configuration may be used to transmit power aroundobstacles that might impact the field in a lossy manner. FIG. 27 showsanother embodiment where a repeater may be shaped specifically 2608 c tocreate a magnetic field different than the magnetic field that may havebeen created by a different repeater 2608 b that is configured andpositioned to well receive a transmitted field.

A wireless power system may also have two or more repeaters which areconfigured with connector ports 2606 a, 2606 b which allow the housingsof the repeaters to be physically connected, without necessitatingelectrical port connectors 2612. In this manner, the repeaters can bephysical oriented to achieve certain advantages such as directing and orchanging the direction of the dipole moment of the combined resonatorsystem. This embodiment is shown in FIGS. 20(a)-20(e), in the case wheresome of the connectors 2002 between field blocks 2000 serve to simplyphysically connect the adjacent blocks and do not have electricalconnections for allowing signals to pass between blocks and theircomponents.

FIG. 28 shows a hybrid wired/wireless energy transfer system 2800 inwhich the first repeater 2802 is magnetically coupled with a repeater.The first repeater 2802 is physically and electrically connected to asecond repeater 2804 by a connector 2806 which can be set at differentangles and at variable distances. Such a scheme may be advantageous whenthe device resonator is at a distance that has a significant impact onthe coupling rate. The second repeater 2804 may be aligned tomagnetically couple 2808 with a device resonator 2810 which may beattached to a device 806. By installing a repeater 2804 that is closerand better aligned with a device 806, the overall efficiency of thewireless transfer system may be maintained at a desired threshold orincreased.

In an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, a resonator connector, suchas a port connector 3102 shown in FIG. 31(a)-(c), may be used to createa wired connection between ports 3100 a and 3100 b of magneticresonators of a wireless power transmission system, including betweenone or more sources, one or more repeaters, and/or one or more devices.A resonator port connector may be made of solid, stranded, Litz,coaxial, shielded, insulated, ribbon, or other types of wire orconducting materials to carry electricity between two or moreresonators. In some embodiments, shielding a cable may be important toreduce electrical noise as well to reduce electromagnetic radiation thatmay affect or detune the overall system. In other embodiments, theshield may be made of copper or other type of metal and may act as areturn path or a ground for a power, communication, or other signal. Inembodiments, the cable used to wire two resonators together may compriseat least one conducting strand, at least two conducting strands or morethan two conducting strands. Characteristics and properties of aconnector wire may be engineered to be optimized for a specificapplication of power transfer. These characteristics and properties mayinclude conductivity, capacitance, inductance, resistance, and the like.These properties may change with the length of wire used. In some cases,these properties may need to be adjusted for the length of wirerequired, types of resonators being connected, properties of the overallpower transfer system, and the like. The properties resulting from thewire designed or chosen for a wireless energy transfer system may impactoverall power transfer efficiency.

In embodiments, attaching resonators to source power and controlcircuitry and to device power and control circuitry may includedesigning impedance matching networks to increase the end-to-endefficiency of a wireless power system. In a similar fashion, attachingtwo repeater resonators 810 a, 810 b together with a wired connectionmay also include designing impedance matching networks to optimize thewired power transfer between the resonators. In embodiments, theimpedance matching networks may be realized in the connecting cablesthemselves. In other embodiments, the impedance matching networks, orsegments of impedance matching networks may be realized in adapters 3104that may be connected to between the resonators and the connectingcable. In embodiments, impedance matching adapters 3104 may be designedto match impedances for certain types of resonators and over certainlengths of cables. In embodiments, a hybrid impedance matching adaptermay be designed to compensate for a 1 meter long cable. In embodiments,two such adapters may be connected to a 2 meter long cable connectingtwo wireless repeaters together in a hybrid architecture as shown inFIG. 31(b).

In embodiments, cables and or adapters may be designed for certainpreferred operating modes of a hybrid wired/wireless repeater component.For example, cables and/or adapters may be designed to preferentiallyroute power received from one repeater to drive another repeater. Inthis manner, the wired repeaters may work asymmetrically and may allowlow loss transmission of power in one direction and may frustratetransmission of power in the opposite direction.

In addition, cables and adapters may be designed so that the repeaterson opposite ends of the cables may be optimized for performance atdifferent power levels, at different frequencies, for differentoperating environments and the like. The adapters and cables may bedesigned to control voltage and/or current levels within the hybridsystem.

In a further embodiment, a resonator connector may be designed so thatits intrinsic capacitance, inductance, resistance, and/or conductivitymay scale linearly or non-linearly with its length. Various embodimentsof the capacitance, inductance, and resistance of the connector cable isshown in FIG. 32. FIG. 32(a) shows two resonators 3202 each in housing3200 connected via a connector 3204. The capacitance, inductance, andresistance of a connector may be designed as seen in FIG. 32(b)-(d).Elements 3206, 3208, and 3210 are examples of connectors. For example,FIG. 32(b) shows the connector's inductance and capacitance in parallel3206 while FIG. 32(d) shows inductance and resistance in series whilecapacitance in parallel 3210 between the two sides of the connector3204. For example, in installing a hybrid wired/wireless energy transfersystem, a user or installer could be tasked with choosing the length ofthe connection between the resonators. In such an example, if theproperties of a wire scaled linearly with length, the user may be ableto appropriate a certain length for a connection without furtheranalysis of the system or set of resonators. In some embodiments, aconnector wire may be manufactured in segments as shown in FIG. 31(c).These segments may be able to be connected to one another via theterminals. The user would therefore have the option of elongating thelength of wire for a particular energy transfer system.

In embodiments, adapters 3104 may also be designed with specificproperties such as particular conductive, capacitive, inductive, and/orresistive properties. Such adapters could be used to connect thesegments of cable to the resonators to ensure the required value ofcapacitance, inductance, resistance, and the like for a particularset-up of the hybrid energy transfer system, application, resonatortype, etc., was met. In some embodiments, adapters 3104 may be designedfor different lengths of wire connectors. In further embodiments, theadapters may be designed such that their properties are additive,multiplicative, exponential, and the like. In such a case, formanufacturing and other reasons, adapters could be designed to haveuniform properties and a user would be instructed to use the appropriatenumber of adapters for a length of wire connector.

In other embodiments, adapters may be designed such that the resultingvalue of capacitance, inductance, and/or resistance from one terminal tothe other terminal of the overall connector is determined by theresonators being connected. In other words, the properties of theconnector and/or adapters may be dependent on the resonators achievingresonance.

In still further embodiments, adapters may be designed to cause thecapacitive, inductive, and/or resistive values of the overall connectorto be added in series or parallel to achieve overall capacitance,inductance and resistive values. In some cases, the overall connector,including segments and adapters, may need to be adjusted according theload or device in the energy transfer system. For example, a devicecoupling with a repeater or source resonator may cause detuning in otherparts of the system, including the resonators that may be connected viaa wire connector. In this case, the connector, or a circuit of thecommunication module 1308 may need to be manually or automaticallyadjusted to ensure optimal power transfer efficiency.

Another approach to implementing a port connector may be to designimpedance matching networks for specific cable lengths, energy transfersystems, frequency chosen to drive the system, environments, and thelike. In embodiments, an impedance matching network or circuit may beimplemented at a wireless energy transfer component such as a repeater,source, device or other resonator. For example, in a system with tworepeaters to be connected, an impedance matching network may beinstalled in either or both repeaters. In other embodiments, animpedance matching network may be designed or integrated into or on aconnector cable. Such a matching network may also be realized in anadaptor for a cable for ease of use and manufacturability.

In some embodiments, the properties of a connector cable or wire can bechosen to tune part or all of the wireless energy transfer system. Forexample, a quarter wave impedance transformer may be used as a method ofimpedance matching. In this method, the quarter wave length is afunction of the frequency chosen to drive the energy transfer system.For a system being driven at 6.78 MHz, the corresponding wavelength isapproximately 44.25 meters. Therefore, the quarter wave length isapproximately 11.06 meters with a characteristic impedance Z1. In thismethod, the impedance transformer provided by the cable or wire is givenbyZ _(in) =Z ₁ ² /R _(load).Thus, the impedance can be designed be choosing appropriate lengths ofcable.

For some applications, the connector cable or wire may be usedadditionally as a communication line between resonators or components.This ability may be in addition to power transmission over the sameconnector or in some embodiments, power and communication signals mayalternate in time or space in the connector. In other embodiments,different types of connectors may be chosen for power or communicationor other signals; these different types of connectors may fit to thesame port. In further embodiments, different ports may be designed inthe housings of resonators to accommodate different types of portconnectors.

In further embodiments, wired or wireless communication may be used tocontrol, adjust, open, and/or close the wired electrical connection, forexample, under control of at least one communication module 1308. Inother embodiments, a wireless energy transfer system may comprise acontroller that may adjust, open, or close the electrical connection. Insome cases, the controller may be an electronic or mechanical and mayfurther allow user input.

Additional embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless power network comprising: a. multipleelectromagnetic resonators each capable of storing electromagneticenergy at a resonant frequency, wherein the multiple resonatorscomprise: i. a first resonator configured to be coupled to a powersource to receive power from the power source; ii. a second resonatorconfigured to be coupled to a load to provide power to the load, andiii. one or more intermediate resonators, wherein the first resonator isconfigured to provide power from the power source to the secondresonator through the one or more intermediate resonators, b. wherein atleast a first pair of resonators among the multiple resonators isconfigured to exchange power wirelessly, and at least a second pair ofthe resonators among the multiple resonators is configured to exchangepower through a wired electrically conductive connection.
 2. Thewireless power network of claim 1, wherein multiple pairs among themultiple resonators are configured to exchange power wirelessly.
 3. Thewireless power network of claim 1, wherein multiple pairs among themultiple resonators are configured to exchange power through a wiredelectrical connection.
 4. The wireless power network of claim 1, whereinthe multiple resonators comprise a third resonator configured to becoupled to another load to provide power to this other load, and whereinthe third resonator receives power from the power source through one ormore other resonators among the multiple resonators.
 5. The wirelesspower network of claim 1, wherein each resonator in the second paircomprises a housing containing at least one inductor and at least onecapacitor to define the resonant frequency for the resonator, andwherein the wired electrical connection connects to an electrical portconnection in each of the housings of the resonators in the second pair.6. The wireless power network of claim 1, wherein the wired electricalconnection comprises a length of capacitively loaded conductingmaterial.
 7. The wireless power network of claim 6, wherein thecapacitive loading of the conductive material is configured tosubstantially maintain the resonant frequencies of the resonators in thesecond pair of resonators when the resonators in the second pairexchange energy through the wired electrical connection.
 8. The wirelesspower network of claim 7, wherein the capacitive loading of theconductive material is configured to maintain the resonant frequenciesof the resonators in the second pair of resonators when the second pairof resonators exchange energy through the wired connection to within 5%of the resonant frequencies of the resonators in the second pair,respectively, when the resonators in the second pair are isolated fromall other resonators.
 9. The wireless power network of claim 7, whereinthe capacitive loading of the conductive material scales with the lengthof the conductive material.
 10. The wireless power network of claim 5,wherein each housing comprise a receptacle for removably engaging thelength of capacitively loaded conducting material to establish the wiredelectrical connection.
 11. The wireless power network of claim 6,wherein the wired electrical connection comprises a length of a pair ofcapacitively loaded stranded wires.
 12. The wireless power network ofclaim 1, wherein the wired electrical connection facilitatescommunication with circuitry within at least one of the resonators inthe second pair in order to cause the circuitry to activate, deactivate,or adjust a property of at least one of the resonators in the secondpair.
 13. The wireless power network of claim 1, further comprising acontroller configured to adjustably open or close the wired electricalconnection between at least the resonators in the second pair.
 14. Thewireless power network of claim 1, wherein the wireless power network isdeployed in a home to wirelessly power multiple household devices acrossa range of locations.
 15. The wireless power network of claim 1, whereinthe resonators in the second pair each comprise at least one loop ofconductive material substantially aligned in respective planes, andwherein the respective planes intersect at a right angle to within 30degrees.
 16. The wireless power network of claim 1, wherein theresonators in the second pair are separated by a lossy barrier thatsubstantially reduces wireless power transfer between the resonators inthe second pair but does not substantially reduce the wired powertransfer between the resonators in the second pair.
 17. The wirelesspower network of claim 16, wherein the barrier comprises a mass ofconductive material having a size that is at least comparable to theresonators in the second pair.
 18. The wireless power network of claim1, wherein the second pair of resonators comprises a transmitter and arepeater.
 19. The wireless power network of claim 1, wherein the secondpair of resonators comprises a first repeater and a second repeater.